Cessna 172N accident near Springhill, Louisiana, December 12, 1999
On December 12, 1999 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N739ST, was substantially damaged in an accident near Springhill, Louisiana (Springhill airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 12, 1999 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Springhill, Louisiana · Springhill · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N739ST · no longer on the register · serial 17270775
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot failed to compensate for gusty wind conditions and lost control of the airplane during a local flight over his property, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees and terrain. The pilot reported that he was flying over his property at 800 feet msl, at 70 knots, and with 10 degrees of flaps extended. He added that he was making a left turn to the north, when the 'wind picked [the] right wing tip up.' The pilot reacted by 'pushing forward on the yoke and leveling the wings and applying full power.' The airplane descended through 500 feet msl, and the pilot felt as if the airplane 'was being pushed to the ground.' The airplane then impacted trees and terrain. The pilot stated that he did not obtain additional weather information other than his own observation prior to his flight, and that he underestimated the severity of the wind. Weather observation facilities in the local area were reporting heavy rain showers and winds gusting to 32 knots.
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: 934 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 888 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,934 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 1999; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SPH at 6:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 1.5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 300 ft; ovct at 300 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from ELD, 33 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.