No fatalities

26 Mar 2019: Cessna 172 K — Classic Aviation Inc — Pella, IA

Pella, IA, United States

On 26 Mar 2019, a Cessna 172 K operated by Classic Aviation Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Pella, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in the instructor landing the airplane in grass left of the runway and a subsequent nose-over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a training landing, a gust of wind caused the airplane to drift right. The instructor initiated a go-around, but the left main gear contacted the runway. Concerned about obstacles, the instructor landed in grass, where the airplane nosed over on soft terrain.

Accident Sequence

A flight instructor reported that, during a landing with a student pilot on the flight controls, a gust of wind caused the airplane to drift to the right when it was about 5 to 10 feet above the ground. The instructor assumed control of the airplane, attempted to correct the drift, applied full power, and initiated a go-around. However, the airplane was described as "low and slow," and the left main landing gear contacted the runway. The airplane then drifted left. Concerned that the airplane would not gain sufficient altitude to clear buildings in the flight path, the instructor elected to land in the grass to the left of the runway. After touching down in the grass, the airplane encountered soft terrain and nosed over.

Damage and Mechanical Status

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and rudder. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Information

About the time of the accident, the automated weather reporting station located on the airport reported that the wind was from 170° at 5 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 16.

Contributing factors

Causes

Heading/course — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation