# NTSB CEN09CA181: Cessna 172N, N737KR, Broomfield, CO, February 26, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 26, 2009, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.908611, -105.117225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9086&lon=-105.1172&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 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73411/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA181 ## Probable cause The pilot and airplane's inability to compensate for the unforecasted gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was taxiing into position for takeoff when a wind gust, reported by the tower, of 52 knots lifted the right wing of the airplane. The right wing continued to rotate the aircraft and move it to the left on the ramp. The pilot attempted to maintain control but was unsuccessful and the aircraft rolled inverted. The pilot was able to egress unassisted and was not injured. Weather forecast at the 40 minutes prior to the accident indicated forecast winds 250 degrees at 15 knots. At 7 minutes after the accident the updated weather observation showed winds from 260 degrees at 38 knots with gusts to 52 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot was taxiing into position for takeoff when a wind gust, reported by the tower, of 52 knots lifted the right wing of the airplane. The right wing continued to rotate the aircraft and move it to the left on the ramp. The pilot attempted to maintain control, but was unsuccessful and the aircraft rolled inverted. The pilot was able to egress unassisted and was not injured. Weather forecast at the 40 minutes prior to the accident indicated forecast winds 250 degrees at 15 knots. At 7 minutes after the accident the updated weather observation showed winds from 260 degrees at 38 knots with gusts to 52 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737KR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737KR-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17269481, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269481 - Airframe hours: 5345 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alliance Flight Training, LLC - Registered owner: Ftg Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 2009 - Departed: KBJC, Broomfield, CO - Destination: KFTG, Watkins, CO - Airport: KBJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 5, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 22,770 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 38 knots, gusting 52 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KBJC ## 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 20090226001569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090226001569A), Feb 26, 2009: Cessna 172N, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot chose to go flying despite gusty winds. While taxiing to the runway, a gust of wind lifted the right wing of the aircraft causing the aircraft to flip… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.