# NTSB CHI96LA075: Cessna 172N, N6338D, Grand Forks, ND, January 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 1996, 10:23 local (16:23 UTC) - Place: Grand Forks, ND - Coordinates: 47.910957, -97.070106 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9110&lon=-97.0701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10184 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10184/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA075 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing. Factors in the accident were the icy condition of the taxiway and the high gusting wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - airport facilities,taxiway condition - icy (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - airport facilities,taxiway condition - snowbank ## Analysis The student pilot was taxiing on the icy taxiway during his second supervised solo flight. He stated a gust of wind caught the airplane's tail and swung the airplane around. The airplane struck a snowbank, and the wing and propeller impacted the ground. The student pilot later stated that the wind had picked up quite a bit from the time he was out with his instructor to the time of the accident. After landing, he decided not to take off again because the winds had really picked up. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 1995, at 1023 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N6338D, operated by a student pilot on a solo instructional flight, veered off the side of the taxiway and collided with a snowbank at Grand Forks International Airport, Grand Forks, North Dakota. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight which was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The student reported the accident occurred while he was taxiing the airplane during his second solo flight. He stated he had practiced three or four takeoffs and landings with his instructor in the airplane. The instructor exited the airplane and he performed one takeoff and landing without incident. The student stated that while taxiing on the icy taxiway, a gust of wind caught the airplane's tail and swung it around. The airplane struck a snowbank and the wing and propeller impacted the ground. The student stated that after he landed, he had made the decision not to takeoff again because the wind had increased quite a bit from the time he was flying with his instructor earlier. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6338D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6338D-2003-06-19), registration cancelled 2003-06-19, S/N 17272724, built 1979 (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: 17272724 - Airframe hours: 7763 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: B & B Partnership - Registered owner: Flight Support - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 19, 1995, 26 hours before - Departed: GFK - Airport: GFK, Grand Forks International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 16 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 23 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GFK ## 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 19960112000559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960112000559A), Jan 12, 1996: Cessna 172N, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Was taxiing south of taxiway, caught by gust of wind, slid off taxiway into snowbank, prop and leftwing damaged. (-23) student pilot was on second supervised… 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.