Cessna 172N N5552E

Summary

On 21 February 1997 at about 22:05 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N5552E, operated by Utah Valley Aviation, was involved in an accident near Delta, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 February 1997 at 22:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Delta, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Delta Municipal Airport (DTA)

Coordinates

39.2909, -112.5602

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N5552E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Utah Valley Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Provo → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA97LA060

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the prevailing wind conditions, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident are a sudden shift in the prevailing wind at the time of the landing, and the presence of a mound of dirt near the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot stated that he overflew the airport, observed the wind sock, and listened to the airport's recorded weather information immediately prior to landing. The wind sock and weather recording indicated calm winds. Upon touchdown onto the runway, the airplane encountered a sudden, gusty, quartering tail wind. The airplane then veered off the east side of the runway and into a mound of dirt, despite the pilot's attempts to maintain directional control. The nose gear was sheered off and the airplane flipped over, damaging both wing struts. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.