Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in a collision with a tree.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was making his first landing of the summer season on a high mountain dirt/turf airstrip. The airplane touched down left of centerline, which sloped to the left. The pilot was unable to correct back to the right before the left wing struck a pine tree next to the airstrip. The airplane spun to the left and skidded sideways when the right wing contacted the surface. Both wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR13CA241 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 23, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Truckee, California
- Nearest airport
- Private (NA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172M
- N-number
- N8879V
- 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.