NTSB Factual Report

On February 17, 2002, at 1910 central standard time, a Cessna 172H, N1463F, operated by a private pilot, collided with trees and the terrain during a go-around on runway 14 (2,000 feet by 40 feet, asphalt) at the Webb Lake Airport, Hackensack, Minnesota. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Crystal, Minnesota, at 1745.

The pilot reported that when nearing his destination, he began listening to the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the Pine River Airport. He stated the AWOS reported the winds were from 150 to 160 degrees at 12 to 14 knots, with gusts of 18 to 20 knots. He reported he continued to monitor the AWOS and the "conditions trended toward improvement with velocity dropping and gusts disappearing from time to time." The pilot reported the airplane was lined up with runway 14 for landing, when at an altitude of 5 to 8 feet above the runway, a "strong" gust of wind moved the airplane to the right. He reported that he applied power to go around, but at an altitude of about 20 feet above the ground, the right wing of the airplane contacted trees alongside the runway. The airplane turned approximately 90 degrees to the right and settled to the ground in an upright position.

The pilot reported the trees were approximately 50 feet off the side of the runway and that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind conditions and the trees alongside the runway which the airplane contacted.