CEN18LA056

Factual narrative

On November 22, 2017, about 1200 central standard time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N734VH, registered to a private individual, was substantially damaged after a landing gear collapse and runway excursion at the Maple Lake Municipal Airport (MGG), Maple Lake, Minnesota. The pilot and 2 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated at 1100 from the Cumberland Municipal Airport (UMB), Cumberland, Wisconsin. The pilot initially reported that while landing on runway 28, he had a "rough landing," the "right rear strut wheel broke," and the airplane skidded into a hangar. Examination of the accident site and aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane touched down on runway 28 and slid onto the grass infield about 1,000 feet beyond the touchdown point. The aircraft crossed over a taxiway, impacted a rock drainage revetment, and then impacted a hangar. The total distance traveled by the airplane was about 2,100 feet from touchdown to impact with the hangar. Skid marks on the runway and grass correlated to the airplane's path during the excursion and evidence at the site showed that the landing gear strut separated from the airplane about 100-feet prior to impact with the hangar. Examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. The pilot did not provide any additional information or an NTSB Form 6120. Figure 1. Approximate Location of Touchdown and Impact with Hangar The pilot reported that he had a "rough landing" and the "right rear strut wheel broke." Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane touched down on the runway, and skid marks were found on the runway and grass infield. The airplane exited the runway, crossed over a taxiway, impacted a rock drainage revetment, and then impacted a hangar about 2,100 ft from the touchdown point. The landing gear strut did not separate from the airplane until about 100 ft before impact with the hangar. Examination of the airplane wreckage did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the pilot likely failed to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C