Apr. 24, Savannah, Ga. / Cessna 172

At about 15:20 EDT, a Cessna 172 struck trees at the departure end of runway 30 while attempting a go-around at the Hodges Airpark. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger was killed. According to witnesses, the pilot had departed on runway 30, and at the time of departure the winds were calm. The witnesses stated that when the airplane returned 50 minutes later the winds had increased to about 15 knots, and were favoring runway 12. Witnesses said they saw the airplane approach on runway 30 and attempt to make a downwind landing. When the airplane was about mid-field, it was 10 to 15 feet above the ground and the engine went to full power. A few seconds later witnesses said th...

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Cessna 172 crashed at Hodges Airpark during a go-around attempt, resulting in one fatality and serious injuries to the pilot.
  • The incident followed an attempted downwind landing on runway 30, despite a significant increase in wind speed that favored runway 12.
  • Witnesses reported the aircraft initiating a go-around at low altitude mid-field before striking trees at the departure end of runway 30 and catching fire.
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At about 15:20 EDT, a Cessna 172 struck trees at the departure end of runway 30 while attempting a go-around at the Hodges Airpark. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger was killed. According to witnesses, the pilot had departed on runway 30, and at the time of departure the winds were calm. The witnesses stated that when the airplane returned 50 minutes later the winds had increased to about 15 knots, and were favoring runway 12. Witnesses said they saw the airplane approach on runway 30 and attempt to make a downwind landing. When the airplane was about mid-field, it was 10 to 15 feet above the ground and the engine went to full power. A few seconds later witnesses said the airplane hit trees at the end of runway 30 and burst into flames.

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