The pilot of the Cessna 172, who landed on Runway 32 in Jenison, Mich., noted the runway was covered with ice and snow. During the roll-out the airplane began drifting to the right.
He attempted to correct for the drift with left rudder pedal input, but the airplane continued to move to the right.
The right main landing gear went into snow off the right side of the runway and the airplane went into a snow bank.
The airplane nosed over, and came to rest on its back, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The wind recorded about an hour before the accident at an airport about 13 nautical miles northwest of the accident airport was from 230° at 15 knots.
The NTSB determined the probable cause was the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on an ice- and snow-covered runway in crosswind conditions.
NTSB Identification: CEN13CA161
This February 2013 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Good reminder of basic training, thank you.
90 degree crosswinds at 15. That’s a recipe for danger. He should’ve had full left aileron in the wind, and it seems he didn’t correct for it.