Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors were the rough road, the tree, and the tire.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he lost control during landing. After touch down the aircraft veered left after crossing rough road tracks which crossed the grass strip. The left wing hit a scrub tree and then the aircraft main gear hit a tire which marked the runway boundary. The airplane nosed over and came to rest on its top. The pilot reported that the airplane did not have a control or engine problem.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 8, 1996, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7016T, sustained substantial damage during landing roll when the airplane veered off the runway and impacted a tree and nosed over. The private pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The 14 CFR 91 flight had departed Battle Creek, Michigan, and had landed at the Orchard Grove airstrip, Wellston, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he lost control during landing. After touch down the aircraft veered left after crossing rough road tracks which crossed the grass strip. The left wing hit a scrub tree and then the aircraft main gear hit a tire which marked the runway boundary. The airplane nosed over and came to rest on its top. The pilot reported that the airplane did not have a control or engine problem. -