Cessna 172S accident near New Holstein, Wisconsin, February 23, 2002
On February 23, 2002 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Cessna 172S, registered N26105, was substantially damaged in an accident near New Holstein, Wisconsin (New Holstein Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind condition and the runway marker sign which the airplane contacted.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 23, 2002 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- New Holstein, Wisconsin · New Holstein Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N26105 · no longer on the register · serial 172S8812
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane contacted a runway sign during landing. The pilot reported that after taking off at Sheboygan, he stayed in the traffic pattern and performed two touch and go landings. He then proceeded to New Holstein. He reported that he made his landing approach to runway 14 with the winds from 190 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported that during the landing flare, the airplane floated so he added power to regain control. He reported the airplane touched down again, at which time the right wing came up and the airplane turned approximately 20 - 30 degrees to the left. He reported the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway toward a runway marker sign. The pilot reported he added power but was unable to clear the sign. The airplane contacted the sign and continued to travel approximately 400 feet prior to coming to rest.
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
- Flight time: 118 hours in all; 112 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 69 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 23, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 577 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 18, 2002; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SBM Sheboygan WI at 3:45 pm
- Destination: 8D1 New Holstein WI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,600 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 3:45 pm from ATW, 24 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.
Other NTSB records under N26105 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.