Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to obtain/maintain directional control. Contributing factors were a crosswind and a snow bank.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane entered the airport traffic pattern, and he made a visual approach to runway 35 with a 90 degree crosswind. He stated that he was "slow" on final, and when he touched down using a soft field landing procedure, the airplane was "pushed" off the runway by a wind gust, contacted a snow bank with the left main landing gear tire, and nosed over. Both wings were damaged.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA090 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 1, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Apple River, Illinois
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N8366B
- 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.