ATL04LA013

Factual narrative

On October 12, 2003, at 1045 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52254, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, had a loss of directional control during landing flare at Saint Clair County Airport, Pell City, Alabama, and collided with a tree. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from the Saint Clair Airport Pell City, Alabama, on October 12, 2003, at 0940. The student pilot stated he was making a crosswind touch and go landing on runway 02. During the landing flare, the student pilot removed the crosswind correction and the airplane drifted to the left above the runway, and collided with a tree. One wing received structural damage and the firewall was buckled. Review of the Cessna Skyhawk Information Manual Performance Specifications indicates that the stall speed (KCAS) with flaps up power off is 51 knots. The stall speed with flaps down (KCAS) is 46 knots. The student pilot stated that he was making a crosswind touch and go landing on runway 02. During the landing flare, the student pilot removed the crosswind correction, the student pilot lost directional control, the airplane drifted to the left above the runway, and collided with a tree. One wing received structural damage and the firewall was buckled. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12