CHI97LA065

Factual narrative

On January 21, 1997, at 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182, N3128F, registered to the Iosco Flying Club and flown by a solo student pilot, collided with a snowbank while landing at the Gaylord Otsego County Regional Airport, Gaylord, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo cross country flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The last leg of the cross country originated from Rogers City, Michigan, at 0915 est. The pilot reported that 12 to 15 miles from the airport he called the Unicom and requested winds and landing information, but was unable to get a response. He stated that smoke from smoke stacks south of the airport indicated winds were from the east. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 09 and stated that while on the downwind leg the airplane was "starting to bounce around." He continued to report that as he turned final he realized he had a "pretty good crosswind." He reported that the airplane was blown to the left of the runway and he was able to correct back to the center. He reported, "The closer I got to the ground the more radical the control inputs became. As I crossed the threshold I chopped the power. At this point I was getting blown left, but felt I could still land. As I flared I was way left." The airplane touched down and collided with a plowed snowbank along the left side of the runway. The student reported that the local winds at the airport were from 120 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 28 knots. The student pilot, who was on a solo cross country flight, stated that smoke from smoke stacks south of the airport indicated that the winds were out of the east. He stated that on final approach to runway 9 he realized he had a 'good crosswind' as it was difficult for him to maintain runway alignment. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane contacted a snowbank along the left side of the runway. The pilot reported local winds were from 120 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 28 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12