# NTSB CHI91LA057: Cessna 172M, N1489U, Austin, MN, December 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1990, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Austin, MN
- Coordinates: 43.670959, -92.969261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6710&lon=-92.9693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA057

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (STUDENT)'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY EVALUATE AND COMPENSATE FOR GUSTY WIND CONDIITONS AND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING INITIAL CLIMB. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND WIND GUSTS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

ON INITIAL CLIMB FROM RUNWAY 36, THE WINDS WERE REPORTED AS 310 DEGREES AT 14 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND IMPACTED A SNOWBANK. THE 20 HOUR STUDENT PILOT STATED, '...IT FELT LIKE A LARGE BLAST OF WIND PUSHED ME SIDEWAYS AND I TIPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1489U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1489U), registered now, S/N 17267156, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267156
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Austin Aeroflight, Inc.
- Departed: AUM
- Airport: AUM, Austin Muni., runway 36, 4,797 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: AEL, 20 nm away

## 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 19901213053909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901213053909A), Dec 13, 1990: Cessna 172M, Austin, MN, Substantial damage. Lost control on initial climb. Turned into wind and struck snowbank on runway edge.

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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