| Crash location | 29.479723°N, 95.326945°W |
| Nearest city | Manvel, TX
29.462736°N, 95.357994°W 2.2 miles away |
| Tail number | N3760R |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 15 Oct 2003 |
| Aircraft type | Cessna 172H |
| Additional details: | None |
On October 15, 2003, approximately 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H single-engine airplane, N3760R, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during an attempted go-around from the Wolfe Air Park, near Manvel, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed the Natchitoches Regional Airport, Natchitoches, Louisiana, at 1200, and was destined for Manvel. The multi-leg cross-country flight originated from the Roscoe Turner Memorial Airport, Corinth, Mississippi.
According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site and interviewed the 300-hour pilot, the pilot over flew runway 20 and elected to land on runway 2 (Runway 2/20 is a grass turf runway; 2,910 feet long and 80 feet wide). The pilot stated the airplane touched down on the runway centerline, and then drifted to the left. The pilot attempted a go-around; however, shortly after the airplane became airborne, the left wing dropped and impacted the terrain. The airplane became airborne again for approximately 150 feet, and then the nose, right wing tip, and right horizontal stabilizer impacted the terrain. The airplane came to rest upright approximately 30 feet from where the nose impacted, on a measured magnetic heading of 140 degrees.
At the time of the accident, the airport manager reported the wind was a direct crosswind from approximately 110 degrees at 15 knots and gusting.
According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated the wind shifted to a straight crosswind at the time of touchdown. Subsequently, he lost control of the airplane, attempted a go-around, stalled, and impacted the terrain on the left side of the runway.
On his NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented) section, the pilot reported, "Better control by pilot during crosswind landing."
At 1453, the Clover Field (LVJ), Houston, Texas, automated surface observing system (ASOS), located 5 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported the wind from 110 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury.
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the attempted go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing.