Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Brian Rayner
Additional Participating Entities:
Zach Andrade; FAA/FSDO; Atlanta, GA
https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195326/pdf
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195326
https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=1242M
Analysis
The pilot/owner stated that he checked the winds when he was more than 15 miles from the destination airport and again while established on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. He said the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) reported the winds were from 020° at 9 knots “with no gusts” and that he was landing on Runway 03. When over the runway threshold, the nose dropped “due to a decrease in headwind” so the pilot initiated a go-around. After applying “full” engine power and while configuring the airplane for the go-around, an “extreme perpendicular crosswind from the west blew the airplane into the path of trees lining the runway.” The pilot said he pulled back on the yoke to clear the trees, the right wing stalled, and the airplane landed hard in a flat attitude resulting in substantial damage and igniting a fire in the engine compartment. Three of the four occupants egressed the airplane with minor injuries while one occupant emerged uninjured. The pilot reported there were no preimpact anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Examination of the AWOS information reported at the airport 15 minutes before arrival revealed winds from 020° at 11 knots gusting to 19 knots. At the time of the accident, winds were reported to be from 040° at 12 knots gusting to 19 knots.
Probable Cause:
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for winds during landing, which resulted in a loss of control and an aerodynamic stall.
Findings
Personnel issues – Aircraft control – Pilot
Environmental issues – Crosswind – Response/compensation
History of Flight
Landing – Other weather encounter (Defining event)
Approach-VFR go-around – Loss of control in flight
Pilot Information
-
Certificate: Private
-
Age: 62, Male
-
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
-
Seat Occupied: Left
-
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
-
Restraint Used: Lap only
-
Instrument Rating(s): None
-
Second Pilot Present: No
-
Instructor Rating(s): None
-
Toxicology Performed: No
-
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
-
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 1, 2024
-
Occupational Pilot: No
-
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 30, 2023
-
Flight Time:
-
Total: 210 hours
-
Make/Model: 110 hours
-
PIC: 125 hours
-
Last 90 days: 39 hours
-
Last 30 days: 18 hours
-
Last 24 hours: 2 hours
-
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
-
Aircraft Make: Cessna
-
Registration: N1242M
-
Model/Series: 182P
-
Year of Manufacture: 1974
-
Serial Number: 18264256
-
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
-
Seats: 4
-
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 10, 2023, Annual
-
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2,950 lbs
-
Time Since Last Inspection: 110 Hrs
-
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
-
Airframe Total Time: 4,293 Hrs (as of last inspection)
-
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
-
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
-
Engine Model/Series: O-470-S2B
-
Rated Power: 230 Horsepower
-
Registered Owner: On file
-
Operator: On file
-
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
-
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual meteorological conditions
-
Condition of Light: Day
-
Observation Facility, Elevation: 49A, 1,485 ft msl
-
Distance from Accident Site: 0 nautical miles
-
Observation Time: 12:15 Local
-
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
-
Lowest Cloud Condition: Not specified
-
Visibility: 10 miles
-
Lowest Ceiling: Not specified
-
Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots / 19 knots
-
Wind Direction: 040°
-
Altimeter Setting: 30.31 inches Hg
-
Temperature/Dew Point: 12°C / 2°C
-
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
-
Departure Point: Alexander City, AL (ALX)
-
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
-
Destination: East Ellijay, GA
-
Type of Clearance: VFR flight following
-
Departure Time: 09:45 Local
-
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
-
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
-
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
-
Passenger Injuries: 2 Minor, 1 None
-
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
-
Aircraft Explosion: None
-
Latitude, Longitude: 34.6644, -84.4325 (estimated)