NTSB Factual Report

On June 3, 2001, at 1450 central daylight time, a Rockwell International 112TC, N4612W, collided with the terrain following a loss of control during an aborted landing at the Cambridge Municipal Airport (CBG), Cambridge, Minnesota. The landing was being made on runway 34 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt). The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Blaine, Minnesota, at 1425 cdt.

The pilot reported that while en route he listened to the automated weather observing system (AWOS) for CBG. He reported that he also had contact with another pilot who had just departed the airport. This pilot reported that the winds were variable, but at a low speed. The pilot made an approach to land on runway 34. He reported, "Approximately 10-15 feet after main gear touchdown a gust of wind lifted the aircraft 8-10 feet above the runway. When the aircraft was settling back to the runway it was about 5' above the ground a sudden violent gust lifted and rolled the aircraft 120 [degrees]-150 [degrees]." The pilot reported he rolled the airplane level, advanced the throttle, raised the landing gear and removed 10 [degrees] of flaps. He reported that by this time the airplane was headed for a grove of trees off the west side of the runway. The airplane contacted the tops of the trees. The pilot reported the airplane settled into the trees then "fell [the] last 15' to [the] ground landing flat on [the] belly."

The pilot reported that at the time of the accident the winds were variable at 5 - 7 knots, gusting to 12 knots. A local weather observation taken at 1517, reported the winds were from 040 degrees at 8 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and the failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident were the trees that the airplane contacted during the aborted landing.