# NTSB DEN06CA033: Cessna 172M, N1322U, Denver, CO, January 18, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 17, 2006, 18:05 local (Jan 18, 2006, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.908611, -105.116943
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9086&lon=-105.1169&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA033

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to align the airplane's nose into the direction of the wind while performing the pre-takeoff checklist.  A contributing factor was the gusty wind conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he taxied the airplane to the run-up area for runway 29R.  According to the automated terminal information service (ATIS) report, the wind was from 300 degrees at 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots.  After positioning the airplane (nose at 210 degrees) for the engine run-up, the pilot cycled the flaps per the airplane checklist.  With the flaps extended, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to a heading of 120 degrees, and subsequently, the airplane flipped over.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported he taxied the airplane to the run-up area for runway 29R.  According to the automated terminal information service (ATIS) report, the wind was from 300 degrees at 25 knots, gusting to 34 knots.  After positioning the airplane (nose at 210 degrees) for the engine run-up, the pilot cycled the flaps per the airplane checklist.  With the flaps extended, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to a heading of 120 degrees, and subsequently, the airplane flipped over.  Examination of the airplane revealed the vertical stabilizer was bent.  The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1322U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1322U-2006-06-06), registration cancelled 2006-06-06, S/N 17267010, 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: 172-67010
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2G reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bell Ornithopters Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BJC, Denver, CO
- Airport: BJC, Jeffco

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; military, commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 10,096 total, 169 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night

## 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 20060117000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060117000699A), Jan 17, 2006: Cessna 172M, Denver, CO, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was taxiing the aircraft downwind preparing for takeoff. Winds were 34 knots, gusting to 44. While attempting to turn onto the runway, the aircraft…

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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