Cessna 172S

Full Narrative

On March 29, 2012, at 1715 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N480SP, was substantially damaged while landing at Mid-Way Regional Airport (KJWY), Midlothian, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The flight departed Sportsman's World Airport (TA65), Palo Pinto, Texas, about 1615 with KJWY as the intended destination.

The pilot stated that there was a 5-10 knot left crosswind while landing on runway 18 (6,500 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). He reported that he had no difficulty maintaining runway centerline alignment during the final approach and touchdown. An uneventful touchdown was made on the runway centerline; however, during the landing roll, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot stated that despite his increased use of right rudder to regain directional control, the airplane departed off the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The nose landing gear collapsed when the airplane impacted the ditch. He further noted that he had not experienced any ground-handling difficulties during the 2 takeoffs and 1 landing completed earlier that day.

A postaccident examination was completed by inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration. The examination revealed substantial damage to the right wing primary structure and engine firewall. Although the nose wheel steering linkages had fractured when the nose gear collapsed, movement of the cockpit rudder pedals confirmed their proper operation. Additionally, no mechanical anomalies were found during a function test of the brake system. The postaccident examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

At 1715, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 120 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles; scattered clouds at 2,800 and 3,300 feet above ground level; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point 17 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 29.84 inches of mercury.