Accident Details
On June 7, 2014, about 1731 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N airplane, registration N5589E, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and terrain during an aborted landing at Page Municipal Airport (KPGA), Page, Arizona. The airplane was being operated by American Aviation Inc. as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area scenic flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The flight had departed Page about 1650.
The airport's automated weather reporting station reported wind from 190 degrees true at 13 knots, with gusts to 23 knots.
Pilot Report
Due to the wind conditions, the pilot elected to use runway 25, a short cross runway 2,201 feet long and 75 feet wide, instead of the main runway (5,950 feet long and 150 feet wide). In a written statement to the NTSB investigator-in-charge dated June 17, the pilot reported entering a 3-mile straight-in approach for runway 25 at 60 knots airspeed in gusting wind conditions. During the flare, the airplane began drifting toward the side of the runway. After the main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind lifted the airplane off the runway. The first touchdown occurred near the intersection with runway 15/33, about 700 feet from the threshold of runway 25. The airplane touched down again, bounced back into the air too high to continue the landing, and the pilot initiated a go-around. The engine was at full power, the airplane was in a level attitude with wings level, and the airspeed indicated less than 43 knots. The pilot did not raise the flaps or bank the airplane for fear of sinking. The airplane began a slow descent, and the pilot attempted to avoid houses and trees. With the stall warning horn sounding, the airplane struck a small tree and then the ground.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He attributed the failure to climb to local wind conditions.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.