# NTSB DEN90LA035: Cessna 172P, N53432, Billings, MT, December 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1989, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.870811, -108.470237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8708&lon=-108.4702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA035

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT SAID THAT BECAUSE RWY 22 WAS CLOSED HE CHOSE TO LAND ON RWY 16. THE TOWER REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM 220 DEGREES AT 16 KTS. DURING THE GROUND ROLL THE ACFT WAS HIT BY GUSTY WINDS, AND THE ACFT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53432](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53432-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 17274748, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- 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: 17274748
- Airframe hours: 2073
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Holman Avaition Company
- Registered owner: Holman Aviation Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1989, 64 hours before
- Departed: GTF, GREAT FALLS, MT
- Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BIL, Billings Logan Int'L, runway 16, 5,585 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 59 total, 59 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL

## 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 19891227053349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891227053349A), Dec 27, 1989: Cessna 172P, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Desired runway for wind closed. Student lost control on crosswind landing and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N53432 (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 CEN19LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA292), Aug 29, 2019: Cessna 172 (N53432), Denver, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of electrical power for reasons that could not be determined, and the student pilot’s subsequent runway overrun during a no-flap landing.
- [NTSB SEA86LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA001), Oct 1, 1985: Cessna 172P (N53432), Winnemucca, NV, 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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