Cessna R172 N7354V accident near Mount Carroll, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a go around in gusty wind conditions.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was attempting to land at the private airfield with a turf strip. A pilot on the ground had radioed to the pilot that the wind was estimated at 5 to 7 knots. The pilot reported that while on approach to land to the east with the flaps fully extended, the wind had increased to 10 knots, and the airplane was being pushed towards the north of the runway. The pilot performed a go around and attempted to gain airspeed to begin a climb. The pilot lost aircraft control as the wind picked up the right wing and turned the airplane to the north. The airplane entered a nose down descent until it impacted the ground. A postimpact fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The nearest weather reporting station reported a variable wind at 7 knots prior to the accident. After the accident, wind was reported from the southwest at 7 knots gusting 17 knots and was variable between 170° and 270°.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA007 for the full record.