Probable cause
The pilot's loss of airplane control while landing with a crosswind.
NTSB analysis
After landing with a 5-knot crosswind, the pilot noticed a shimmy in the nosewheel and pulled back on the yoke in an effort to raise the nose and offload the strut. Consequently, the airplane became airborne and bounced twice down the runway. The nose gear strut collapsed on the second impact, resulting in a prop strike and substantial damage to the firewall. The pilot stated that he did not correct for the crosswind during the approach. He reported no preimpact mechanical abnormalities with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA282 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 16, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jekyll Island, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Jekyll Island Airport (09J)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N53039
- 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.