Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff with a gusting crosswind.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that while taking off after performing a touch-and-go landing, a right gusting crosswind caused the airplane to drift to the left, causing the left wingtip to strike a tree limb at the runway boundary. The airplane impacted the runway shoulder, causing substantial damage to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers and firewall.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA580 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 18, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Winnsboro, Louisiana
- Nearest airport
- Winnsboro Municipal (KF89)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N3209E
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.