# NTSB ANC10CA015: Cessna 172H, N3718F, Nightmute, AK, January 23, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 23, 2010, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Nightmute, AK
- Coordinates: 60.470832, -164.700836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4708&lon=-164.7008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Admininstration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75315
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75315/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75315
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA015

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane in a strong gusting wind, and his decision to taxi for takeoff in such conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while taxiing for departure to runway 3, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left. The wind gust lifted the left wing, the airplane turned 180 degrees, and traveled down a 20- to 40-foot embankment. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane showed damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer, and empennage. The pilot estimated the wind speed at 45 knots.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while taxiing for departure to runway 3, the airplane encountered a wind gust from the left. The wind gust lifted the left wing, the airplane turned 180 degrees, and traveled down a 20 to 40 foot embankment. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane showed damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer, and empennage. The pilot estimated the wind speed at 45 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3718F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3718F-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 17255213, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255213
- Airframe hours: 5461
- Engines: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Twohy Timothy D
- Registered owner: Twohy Timothy D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 2009
- Departed: AGT, Nightmute, AK
- Destination: Bethel, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: AGT, Nightmute Airport, runway 03, 1,600 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 9, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,220 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,160 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 40 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -9 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20100123026399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100123026399A), Jan 23, 2010: Cessna 172H, Nightmute, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot was trying to taxi his aircraft in a high wind condition. By doing so, his aircraft left wing was struck by a 45KT cross wind gust. This caused the…

## Other investigations on N3718F (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW73DPD33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DPD33), Apr 21, 1973: Cessna 172 (N3718F), Abilene, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75315. 291 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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