NTSB Factual Report

On October 22, 2003, at 1715 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N80543, veered off the runway and nosed over while landing at Montague Siskiyou County Airport, Montague, California. The private pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Montague Yreka Rohrer Airport at 1645.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was practicing crosswind landings to runway 17. On his second landing, he applied full right rudder when a gust of wind pushed the airplane 40 to 50 feet left of the centerline. The plane veered off the runway and into a freshly plowed field. The pilot attempted to steer the airplane out of the field and onto the runway. The airplane hit a berm that put it airborne. The airplane dropped into a nose down attitude, the nose wheel sank into the ground, and the plane nosed over.

The Siskiyou Airport recorded winds of 270 at 12 knots at 1756.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with any system during the event.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.