| Crash location | 29.950833°N, 94.020556°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect. |
| Nearest city | Beaumont, TX
30.086046°N, 94.101846°W 10.5 miles away |
| Tail number | N753MF |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 22 Jun 2003 |
| Aircraft type | Cessna 172M |
| Additional details: | None |
On June 22, 2003, about 1253 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M single-engine airplane, N753MF, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground between runway 12 and runway 16, following a loss of control while practicing a simulated forced landing at Southeast Texas Regional Airport (BPT), near Beaumont, Texas. The flight instructor received serious injuries, and his student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight, which originally departed BPT approximately 1245.
According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 4,582-hour flight instructor who was occupying the right seat, reduced engine power at mid-field to simulate an engine failure for the 18-hour student pilot that was flying the airplane from the left seat. As the airplane rolled out on final landing to runway 12 (6,750 x 150 feet), the flight instructor noted that the airplane was "approximately 200 feet high" when the student pilot stated that he felt "uncomfortable." The flight instructor reported that as he took command of the airplane and applied full engine power, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right and south of the runway. The flight instructor further reported that the airplane then struck the ground and bounced. Approximately 80 knots and 60 feet of altitude, the airplane's left wing dropped, and he then "chopped the power and fuel." The airplane came to rest in an area south of the intersection of runway 12 and runway 16.
At 1253, the weather observation facility at BPT reported the wind from 120 degrees at 9 knots.
Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to both wing spars.
The instructor's delay in executing a go-around and his failure to maintain aircraft control due to inadequate compensation of wind gusts. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.