Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the pilot. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse wind and the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing (inadequate weather evaluation).
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that during the flare/touchdown phase of the landing, the airplane encountered a wind condition that that she believed was windshear. She said that this resulted in a nose high pitch attitude and a drop in airspeed. She lost control of the airplane, and it fell nose first and collided with the runway surface. Winds in the local area were reported at five knots with strong gusts. No mechanical problems were reported with the airplane. There was no record of the pilot receiving a weather briefing before or during the flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 3, 1993, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N80797, collided with the runway while attempting a landing at the Dare County Regional Airport, Manteo, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial structural damage and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina, at 1615 hours. Reportedly, the pilot encountered a gust of wind during the touchdown phase of the approach. -