# NTSB DEN85LA211: Cessna 172L, N4349Q, Lordsburg, NM, July 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1985, 15:52 local (21:52 UTC)
- Place: Lordsburg, NM
- Coordinates: 32.339187, -108.700149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3392&lon=-108.7001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA211

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID HE HAD ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TURBULENCE WHILE EN ROUTE & HIS PASSENGERS BECAME AIR SICK. HE DECIDED TO LAND AT THE NEAREST SUITABLE ARPT. THE LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT INCIDENT. HOWEVER, WHILE TAXIING TO THE RAMP, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED WHAT ONE WITNESS DESCRIBED AS A 'WHIRL WIND' OR 'DUST DEVIL' & WAS FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4349Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4349Q-2007-11-30), registration cancelled 2007-11-30, S/N 17260249, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260249
- Airframe hours: 4414
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald R. Garten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1984
- Departed: P33, WILCOX, AZ
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LSB, Lordsburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 91 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DMN, 50 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 19850704031549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850704031549A), Jul 4, 1985: Cessna 172L, Lordsburg, NM, Substantial damage. During taxi after landing a dust devil caused aircraft to be blown over onto its back.

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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