Cessna 140A N5353C accident near Urbana, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the crosswind landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the windsock indicated steady winds out of the south. The closest weather reporting station, 7 miles away, reported winds from 190 degrees at 13 knots. Shortly after the flight began its landing roll on runway 27, the airplane weathervaned due to a gust of wind. This moved the airplane to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot applied right rudder and the airplane continued down the runway, halfway between the centerline and the edge of the runway. The airplane weathervaned again, and the pilot applied power in an attempt to go around; however, the airplane contacted a snowbank on the left side of the runway and nosed over.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA095 for the full record.