16 Jul 2019: Cessna 172 L — West Air Aviation

16 Jul 2019: Cessna 172 L — West Air Aviation

No fatalities • Grand Canyon, AZ, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach to land, he corrected for a left crosswind. After crossing the threshold, he reduced power and as he was about to touch down, the airplane "rolled" to the left and the left wing struck the runway. The airplane immediately "righted itself" and he landed the airplane. He added that the runway strike caused a "minor misalignment" with the airplane.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The same automated station reported that, about 24 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 210° at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots, with a peak wind reported 3 minutes after the accident from 220° at 27 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 21.

Contributing factors

  • cause Lateral/bank control — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot
  • Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 210/17kt, vis 10sm

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