No fatalities

Night Touch-and-Go Landing Ends with Runway Excursion and Inverted Resting

Vernon, TX, United States

On March 19, 2018, a CESSNA 172 G was involved in an aviation accident near Vernon, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot performing touch-and-go landings at night experienced gusty winds. After a go-around, the next landing saw a wind shift, causing the aircraft to exit the left side of the runway and come to rest inverted. Substantial damage occurred.

Incident Details

A pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings in the local traffic pattern at night. During the third approach, the pilot reported that the wind increased and began to gust. In response, he applied full power and executed a go-around. On the subsequent landing, the airplane touched down, and the wind "increased and shifted" to the right. The airplane then exited the left side of the runway and came to rest inverted.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the windshield, and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Meteorological Conditions

The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, around the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 19 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 20.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 19 Mar 2018 CESSNA 172 G accident near Vernon, TX?

A pilot performing touch-and-go landings at night experienced gusty winds. After a go-around, the next landing saw a wind shift, causing the aircraft to exit the left side of the runway and come to rest inverted. Substantial damage occurred.

Were there any fatalities in the 19 Mar 2018 CESSNA 172 G accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 19 Mar 2018 involved a CESSNA 172 G, at Vernon, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions.