# NTSB DEN82DA083: Cessna 172, N5266J, Sturgis, SD, May 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1982, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Sturgis, SD
- Location: 44.4104° N, 103.4996° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sturgis, SD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4104&lon=-103.4996&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 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA083

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD TO GO TO AN AUCTION. WHEN HE TAXIED BACK DOWNWIND TO START HIS TAKEOFF, THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 28 KNOTS. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT HE WAS MOVING ABOUT 15 MPH AS HE TURNED TO HEAD BACK INTO THE WIND. AS HE STARTED A RIGHT TURN, THE WIND CAUGHT THE RIGHT WING AND THE PLANE FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK. AFTERWARDS, THE PILOT BELIEVED HE WAS TAXIING TOO FAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5266J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5266J-2008-03-18), registration cancelled 2008-03-18, S/N 17273749, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17273749
- Airframe hours: 580
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-HD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald D Opstedahl
- Registered owner: Ronald D Opstedahl
- Departed: STURGIS, SD
- Destination: STURGIS, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 233 total, 180 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 24 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820510014289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820510014289A), May 10, 1982: Cessna 172N, Sturgis, SD, Substantial damage. Pilot taxiing for takeoff made turn into wind and aircraft flipped over on its back.

## Other investigations on N5266J (2)

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 DEN99LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA106), Jun 18, 1999: Cessna 172N (N5266J), Platteville, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot misjudging the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control. A factor was overload forces collapsing the nose landing gear assembly.
- [NTSB DEN88LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA174), Jul 25, 1988: Cessna 172M (N5266J), Gillette, WY, substantial damage

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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