# NTSB DEN86LA156: Cessna 180, N3253D, Cheyenne, WY, June 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1986, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Cheyenne, WY
- Coordinates: 41.140796, -104.790237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1408&lon=-104.7902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA156

## 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 - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, taxi - from landing
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT FLEW FROM ALLIANCE TO CHEYENNE ON HIS SOLO X-COUNTRY AND FLEW LOCALLY AT CHEYENNE TO MAKE 3 LANDINGS AT A TWR CONTROLLED ARPT. WHILE HE WAS IN THE PATTERN A CUMULONIMBUS CLOUD MOVED INTO THE VICINITY OF THE ARPT AND THE WINDS BECAME GUSTY. AFTER HIS FINAL LANDING ON RWY 30, THE PLT TURNED OFF TO THE LEFT AND A STRONG GUST PICKED UP THE RIGHT WING AND TAIL. THE LEFT WING AND PROP CONTACTED THE GROUND. THREE MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE TWR REPORTED THE WINDS FROM 300 DEGREES AT 34 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 38 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3253D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3253D-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 32051 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32051
- Airframe hours: 2545
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gregory C. Cover
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1986, 70 hours before
- Airport: CYS, Cheyenne, runway 30, 6,691 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 61 total, 43 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 34 knots, gusting 38
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CYS

## 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 19860606026269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860606026269A), Jun 6, 1986: Cessna 180, Cheyenne, WY, Substantial damage. During taxi back to ramp, strong gusts flipped aircraft. Winds caused by thundershower in vicinity.

## Other investigations on N3253D (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 DEN66D0146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66D0146), Nov 9, 1965: Cessna 180 (N3253D), Fort Collins, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC66F0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0042), Jun 1, 1965: Cessna 180 (N3253D), Mapes, ND, 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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