N5589ECessna 172N · 1978

On June 7, 2014, about 1731 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N5589E, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree and terrain during an aborted landing at the Page Municipal Airport (KPGA), Page, Arizona. The airplane was being operated by American Aviation Inc., Page, as a visual flight rules (VFR), local area scenic flight, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, the pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The flight departed Page about 1650.

The airport's automated weather reporting station was reporting wind at 190 degrees true, at 13 knots with gusts to 23 knots.

Due to the wind conditions, the pilot elected to use runway 25, a short cross runway that is 2,201 feet long and 75 feet wide for landing, as opposed to the main runway that is 5,950 feet long and 150 feet wide.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) dated June 17, the pilot reported that he entered a 3 mile straight-in approach for runway 25. He approached the runway at 60 knots airspeed in gusting wind conditions, and that when he flared, the airplane started to drift toward the side of the runway. When the main landing gear touched down, a gust of wind lifted the airplane off the runway. He reported that he first touched down near runway 25's intersection with runway 15/33, which is about 700 feet from the threshold of runway 25. When the airplane touched down again, it bounced back into the air, this time too high to continue the landing, and the pilot initiated a go-around. He reported that the airplane engine was at full power, the airplane was in a level attitude, with the wings level, and the airspeed was indicating less than 43 knots. He did not raise the flaps or bank the airplane, for fear of the airplane sinking. The airplane started a slow descent, and he attempted to dodge houses and trees. With the stall warning horn sounding, the airplane struck a small tree, and then the ground.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He reported that he thought the failure to climb was due to the local wind conditions. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.