Cessna 172P accident near Dowagiac, Michigan, February 18, 2002
On February 18, 2002 at about 7:46 pm local time, a Cessna 172P, registered N66986, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dowagiac, Michigan (Dowagiac Municpal Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions that resulted in directional control not being maintained during the landing roll. Factors to the accident were the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt the landing with a gusting 20 knot direct crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 18, 2002 · about 7:46 pm local time
- Place
- Dowagiac, Michigan · Dowagiac Municpal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N66986 · no longer on the register · serial 17275997
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During landing rollout the airplane departed the right side of the prepared runway surface, entered a soft agricultural field, and nosed over. The landing attempt was made on runway 27 and the winds at the time were reported to be 180 degrees magnetic at 14 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The pilot reported he should have diverted, "to an airport that had a runway that was better [aligned] with the wind." The Cessna 172P Information Manual addresses crosswind landings and states in part, "The maximum allowable crosswind velocity is dependent upon pilot capability as well as aircraft limitations. Operation in direct crosswinds of 15 knots has been demonstrated."
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 444 hours in all; 327 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 382 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,591 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 8, 2002; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SKY Sandusky OH at 4:45 pm
- Destination: C91 Dowagiac MI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 27, 4,700 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from BEH, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.