Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a landing with a left crosswind.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while landing, he took out the crosswind correction too soon, and the airplane veered to the left. The right wing dipped and struck the runway. The airplane became momentarily airborne again and when it settled back to the runway, the propeller struck the ground. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in the grass. The right wing was substantially damaged. The pilot landed on runway 28R with wind 230°at 8 kts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA400 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 3, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Flying Cloud (KFCM)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172N
- N-number
- N5254D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- 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.