CHI05CA058

Factual narrative

On January 26, 2005, about 1030 central standard time, a Cessna 172F, N8205U, owned and piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged during landing rollout when it impacted a snow bank along the left edge of runway 28 (5,700 feet by 100 feet, dry asphalt) at the Willmar Municipal Airport-John L Rice Field (ILL), Willmar, Minnesota. The solo instructional flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight departed ILL approximately 0945. In his written statement, the pilot reported that the flight consisted of airwork in the local practice area. He recalled that winds were from 340 degrees at 6 knots when he took off. During the flight he reportedly noticed some weather approaching and decided to return to the airport. He stated the winds were from 340 degrees at 12 knots. He noted that he entered the traffic pattern for runway 28 and completed the before landing checklist. He stated that upon touchdown the aircraft drifted to the left and he elected to go-around. The pilot reported that he remained in the traffic pattern and set-up for another landing attempt. He noted that the second approach was "fine." He stated: "When I touched down I put more aileron [in] but still started to drift left. I could feel the right wing come up and I was making a point to use more aileron. I was still drifting and went [through] the snow at the edge of the runway which broke the nose wheel off. The plane then dropped to the ground and skidded for about 30 feet." The outboard section of the left wing was "buckled" during the accident sequence. The pilot noted that he had successfully completed 2 takeoffs and landings with his flight instructor the previous day in a 16 to 19 knot crosswind. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to, or at the time of, the accident. The ILL Automated Weather Observing System, at 0955, recorded winds from 340 degrees at 11 knots. The airplane was substantially damaged when the student pilot lost directional control during landing rollout and impacted a snow bank along the runway edge. The pilot stated that he had returned from a local solo instructional flight. He noted that winds had increased from 6 knots to 12 knots during the flight. The wind direction had not changed and presented approximately a 60-degree right crosswind. He reported that during the initial landing attempt the airplane drifted to the left and he elected to execute a go-around. He noted that the second approach was "fine." He stated: "When I touched down I put more aileron [in] but still started to drift left. I could feel the right wing come up and I was making a point to use more aileron. I was still drifting and went [through] the snow at the edge of the runway which broke the nose wheel off. The plane then dropped to the ground and skidded for about 30 feet." The outboard section of the left wing was "buckled" during the accident sequence. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12