NTSB Factual Report

On February 9, 2002, at 1500 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N7025A, piloted by a certified flight instructor (CFI), was substantially damaged during a hard landing on runway 22 (2,784 feet by 40 feet, asphalt) at the Manito Mitchell Airport (C45), Manito, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were uninjured. The flight originated from the Pekin Municipal Airport, Pekin, Illinois, at 1430, en route to C45.

The CFI reported in a written statement, "Demonstrating short field approach to [runway] 22 at C45. Wind from 180 [degrees]. Line of trees to left of [runway]. [Aircraft] encountered wind shear due to trees and stalled from 15-20 feet agl. Nose wheel collapsed - firewall and lower cowling damaged. No injuries, fuel spills or fire."

The automated surface observing system at the Greater Peoria Regional Airport, Peoria, Illinois, located 11.2 nm and 20.2 degrees from C45, recorded at 1454, wind from 160 degrees at 21 knots gusting to 26 knots.

The 74 year old CFI accumulated a total flight time of 6,688 hours in aircraft; of which, 3,000 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane. Of the 3,000 hours, 2,700 hours were accumulated while acting as a flight instructor.

The accident airplane was a 1956 Cessna 172, which did not contain a maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity as do models certificated under current certification requirements. These later models have a demonstrated crosswind component of 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper planning and decision and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and hard landing. The gusting crosswind conditions were a contributing factor.