# NTSB DEN82DA204: Cessna 172, N55404, Rock Springs, WY, September 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1982, 11:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Rock Springs, WY
- Coordinates: 41.590557, -109.220901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5906&lon=-109.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA204

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, A STRONG GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING AND POWER WAS APPLIED FOR A GO-AROUND. ANOTHER GUST OF WIND FORCED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE RUNWAY INTO THE DIRT NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, THE RIGHT WING AND NOSE CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT TURNED 180 DEGREES. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55404](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55404), registered now, S/N 17275175, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275175
- Airframe hours: 296
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael F. Enright
- Registered owner: Jackson Aviation
- Departed: CYS, CHEYENNE, WY
- Destination: JAC, JACKSON, WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: RKS, Rock Springs, runway 9, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 78 total, 54 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS

## 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 19820926049079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820926049079A), Sep 26, 1982: Cessna 172P, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot unable to control aircraft during crosswind landing. Conditions near maximum controllable for aircraft.

## Other investigations on N55404 (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 CHI95LA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA290), Aug 20, 1995: Cessna 172P (N55404), Port Washington, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the #2 cylinder due to fatigue cracking. A factor was the soft terrain.
- [NTSB CHI93LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA205), Jun 14, 1993: Cessna 172P (N55404), Hartford, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

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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