| Occurrence Briefs are concise reports that detail the facts surrounding a transport safety occurrence, as received in the initial notification and any follow-up enquiries. They provide an opportunity to share safety messages in the absence of an investigation. |
What happened
On 6 August 2020, the pilot of a Cessna 172RG was conducting a private flight under visual flight rules from Noosa Airport to Thangool Airport, Queensland.
The pilot had not previously landed at Thangool Airport and chose to overfly the airfield in order to observe the windsock and assess the crosswind for a landing on runway 28.[1] The pilot perceived the windsock to indicate a steady but manageable crosswind that was consistent with the Thangool Airport aerodrome weather information service.[2]
The aircraft then joined the circuit for a landing on runway 28. The pilot elected to cross the runway threshold slightly faster and higher than normal, to gauge the effect of the crosswind and conduct a go-around if necessary. During the flare, just prior to touching down, the pilot felt the aircraft encounter a strong gust of wind from the right. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft and it touched down heavily, veered left, and exited the left side of runway 28 (Figure 1). The pilot was the only occupant on board and was uninjured in the occurrence. The aircraft sustained substantial damage (Figure 2).
The recorded automatic weather for Thangool Airport, for the period 15 minutes before and after the occurrence, indicated a wind direction between 020–060° true, a wind speed between 7–11 kt, and wind gusts between 8–14 kt.
Based on the recorded wind direction, when landing on runway 28 with a 14 kt wind gust, the aircraft would have encountered a crosswind of 10–14 kt and a tailwind component of 0–9 kt. The aircraft’s maximum demonstrated crosswind was 15 kt.
The pilot had 46.5 hours of experience on the aircraft type and a total aeronautical experience of 141.2 hours.
Figure 1: Marks on the runway and grass leading to the aircraft’s final position
Source: Provided to the ATSB
Figure 2: Aircraft damage
Source: Provided to the ATSB
Safety action
As a result of this occurrence, the pilot advised the ATSB that they will pursue additional crosswind landing training.
Safety message
This occurrence highlights the importance of exercising caution when operating in conditions that have the potential to exceed the maximum demonstrated crosswind speed of an aircraft. It also illustrates the need for pilots to establish a personal minimums checklist that is commensurate with the flying experience of the individual. If the conditions do not meet these criteria, or if there is any doubt, pilots should not attempt the activity.
About this report
Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, no investigation has been conducted and the ATSB did not verify the accuracy of the information. A brief description has been written using information supplied in the notification and any follow-up information in order to produce a short summary report, and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions.
[1] Runway number: the number represents the magnetic heading of the runway. The magnetic variation at Thangool was 10° east.
[2] Aerodrome weather information service (AWIS): actual weather conditions, provided via telephone or radio broadcast, from Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) automatic weather stations, or weather stations approved for that purpose by the BoM.