# NTSB DEN86LA214: Cessna 172H, N3809R, Albuquerque, NM, July 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1986, 17:59 local (23:59 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.059104, -106.619499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0591&lon=-106.6195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17023
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17023/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF IN STRONG GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS THE AIRCRAFT WAS BLOWN INTO AN INVERTED POSITION ON THE TAXIWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3809R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3809R), registered now, S/N 17255309, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255309
- Airframe hours: 3037
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harry Bush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1985, 118 hours before
- Destination: LAM, LOS ALAMOS, NM
- Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 126 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 21 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ

## 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 19860731070779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860731070779A), Jul 31, 1986: Cessna 172H, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Aircraft was blown over in strong gusty winds while turning on to the runway. Improper use of flight controls.

## Other investigations on N3809R (1)

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 MIA71FKT20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FKT20), Nov 26, 1970: Cessna 172H (N3809R), Pahokee, FL, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
