# NTSB FTW98LA003: Cessna 172A, N7692T, Grand Junction, CO, October 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 1997, 18:40 local (Oct 3, 1997, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Grand Junction, CO - Coordinates: 40.169902, -105.110336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1699&lon=-105.1103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20442/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA003 ## Probable cause Encounter with high gusting winds while standing with the engine running ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, standing - engine(s) operating - weather condition - high wind (cause) - weather condition - gusts (cause) - Nose over, standing - engine(s) operating ## Analysis While holding in position for takeoff, the aircraft was struck by a wind gust which caused it to nose over. Nearly all upper surfaces on the aircraft sustained buckling and wrinkling damage as a result. Recorded wind at the time was from 240 degrees magnetic heading at 39 knots with gusts to 43 knots and a rain cell was passing approximately 4 miles south of the airport. There are no published aircraft operating restrictions regarding crosswind operations for this year and model aircraft. The manufacturer does provide suggested techniques for taxi and takeoff in high wind and cross wind conditions. The aircraft heading was 290 degrees at the time of the occurrence. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 1997, at 1840 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172A, N7692T, sustained substantial damage when it was flipped over by a wind gust while waiting for takeoff at Grand Junction Municipal Airport, Grand Junction, Colorado. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured. The flight was a personal flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. At the time of the accident, recorded wind at the airport was from 240 degrees magnetic heading at 39 knots with gusts to 43 knots. A rain cell was passing approximately 4 miles south of the airport. There were no SIGMETS or AIRMETS in effect for the local area at the time of the accident. The aircraft operating handbook and the Cessna Pilot Safety and Warning Supplement, 1985 edition, do not contain any restrictions regarding wind or crosswind operations. They do provide "suggested" techniques for taxi and takeoff in crosswind conditions. According to information obtained during the pilot interview, she was using the suggested operating techniques. The pilot said she was returning to Montrose, Colorado, after spending the day in Grand Junction, and had been cleared into position for takeoff on runway 29. She stated the aircraft appeared stable as she taxied into position and was then struck by a gust which she described as a wind shear with about 50 knots of wind. According to her statement and interview, the aircraft tail was pitched into the air and the plane nosed over coming to rest on its back. Nearly all upper surfaces on the aircraft sustained buckling and wrinkling damage as a result. According to the tower and the pilot, her aircraft was one of four waiting for departure. The other three were heavier low wing aircraft and were not affected by the wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7692T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7692T-1998-10-13), registration cancelled 1998-10-13, S/N 47292 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172A - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47292 - Airframe hours: 3255 - Engines: Continental O-320C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger H. Lake - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1996, 85 hours before - Departed: GJT - Destination: MTJ, MONTROSE, CO - Airport: GJT, Walker Field, runway 29, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,012 total, 945 in this make and model, 859 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 39 knots, gusting 43 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 1 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 19971002047799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971002047799A), Oct 2, 1997: Cessna 172A, Grandjunction, CO, Destroyed. (-16) Aircraft taxied to departure point on runway, tower instructed to hold and wait. Wind gusts at 39 knots and thunderstorms were reported in the area. A… 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.