CESSNA 172K

San Antonio, TX, November 15, 2010

Event Information

DateNovember 15, 2010
Event TypeACC
LocationSan Antonio, TX
CountryUSA
Coordinates29.81167, -98.42583
AirportKestrel Airpark
Highest InjurySERS
NTSB NumberCEN11LA073
Event ID20101116X80945

Aircraft

MakeCESSNA
Model172K
Registration #N7183G
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
None0
Total Injured3

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind.

Full Narrative

On November 15, 2010, approximately 1545 central standard time, a Cessna 172K, N7183G, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees near Kestrel Airpark (1T7), San Antonio, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The cross-country flight departed Kerrville, Texas, and was en route to 1T7.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who traveled to the accident scene, the flight had departed 1T7 that morning, flew to Kerrville for lunch, and was returning to 1T7 when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported that the airplane was attempting to land with a tailwind to runway 30 (3,000 feet by 40 feet, asphalt). The airplane flew an approach to the runway and as the airplane continued towards the departure end of the runway it leveled off. The airplane impacted trees at the departure end of the runway bending both wings and crushing the fuselage.

According to the written statement submitted by the pilot, he was trying to land when the wind became very strong and swirling. The pilot attempted to go around when the "wing stalled." The airplane impacted several trees and came to rest inverted.

An examination of the airframe and its systems, conducted by an investigator from Cessna Aircraft and an inspector from the FAA, revealed no anomalies. The closest weather observation station recorded winds at 190 degrees at 10 knots.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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