# NTSB FTW98LA040: Cessna 172G, N5745R, Elk City, OK, November 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 1997, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Elk City, OK - Location: 35.4308° N, 99.3943° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELK CITY RGNL BUSINESS (ELK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4308&lon=-99.3943&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20477 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20477/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA040 ## Probable cause The high winds and the pilot's poor judgment in attempting to taxi in the existing wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, taxi - to takeoff - weather condition - high wind (cause) - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to personnel at the airport, the airplane, which is based at the Elk City Municipal Airport, taxied to runway 35 to depart for a local flight. The pilot was reported to have completed the runup facing into the wind at the runup area for runway 35. Following the runup, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to take the active runway. While turning the airplane, the tail of the airplane was turned into the prevailing wind and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. The recorded winds at the Clinton Sherman Industrial Airport which is located 18 miles east of Elk City, were reported from 340 degrees at 27 knots, gusting to 33. The peak wind was reported at 35 knots on the 1345 hourly observation. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 1997, at 1415 central standard time, a Cessna 172G airplane, N5745R, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while taxiing, near Elk City, Oklahoma. The non-instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating from the Elk City Municipal Airport at the time of the accident. According to personnel at the airport, the airplane, which is based at the Elk City Municipal Airport, taxied for departure on runway 35 for a local flight. The pilot was reported to have completed the runup facing into the wind at the runup area for runway 35. Following the runup, the pilot maneuvered the airplane to take the active runway. While turning the airplane, the tail of the airplane was turned into the prevailing wind and the airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. The airport manager stated that due to the high winds, the activity at the airport was minimal on the day of the accident. He further stated that approximately one hour prior to the accident, a Cessna 182 landed, purchased fuel and departed without incident. The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge, that he intended to fly to the Sayre Municipal Airport, which is located approximately 13 miles to the southwest of Elk City. He further stated he was well aware of the winds and had positioned the flight controls in the proper direction to maintain control of the airplane. He added that he purchased the airplane on August 31, 1997. Examination of the airplane by the pilot and the airport manager revealed that both wings, the vertical stabilizer and the fuselage, aft of the baggage compartment, sustained structural damage. The recorded winds at the Clinton Sherman Industrial Airport, which is located 18 miles east of Elk City, were reported from 340 degrees at 27 knots, gusting to 33. The peak wind was reported at 35 knots on the 1345 hourly observation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5745R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5745R-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 17253414, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253414 - Airframe hours: 4439 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles R. O'Neill& Tony Page - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1997, 25 hours before - Departed: ELK - Airport: ELK, Elk City Municipal, runway 35, 4,402 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 24 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 27 knots, gusting 33 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CSM, 18 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 19971102031649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971102031649A), Nov 2, 1997: Cessna 172G, Elk City, OK, Substantial damage. Turning to take active runway was blown over inverted. Way too much wind for operating a Cessna 172 on surface. (-23) the pilot was maneuvering the aircraft to… 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.