# NTSB FTW98LA133: Cessna 172D, N2526U, El Paso, TX, February 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1998, 21:00 local (Feb 25, 1998, 02:00 UTC) - Place: El Paso, TX - Location: 31.8073° N, 106.3764° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at EL PASO INTL (ELP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8073&lon=-106.3764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20541/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA133 ## Probable cause The pilots improper compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was the high wind condition. ## 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) - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing ## Analysis The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he landed the airplane on runway 24. While exiting from the active runway onto the taxiway, in high wind conditions, the airplane was lifted off the ground and flipped over. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 240 degrees, at 46 knots, with gusts to 51 knots. ## Factual narrative On February 24, 1998, at 2100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D airplane, N2526U, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while taxing at the El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas. The private, instrument rated pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Fort Stockton-Pecos County Airport, Fort Stockton, Texas, approximately 1715, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he landed the airplane on runway 24. While exiting from the active runway onto the taxiway, during high wind conditions, the aircraft was "lifted off the ground and flipped over". The airplane came to rest inverted on the taxiway. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 240 degrees, at 46 knots, with gusts to 51 knots. The FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the site reported that both wing tips were curled. He also observed that the propeller blades were bent. Attempts to obtain a completed copy of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), from the pilot, who was reported to have returned to his homeland in Germany, were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2526U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2526U-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 17250126 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172D - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17250126 - Engines: Continental O-300 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stefan Bauer - Registered owner: Kenneth W. Purvis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FST - Destination: ELP - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ELP, El Paso Intl. Airport, runway 22, 11,009 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 286 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 240° at 46 knots, gusting 51 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP ## 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 19980224003879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980224003879A), Feb 24, 1998: Cessna 172D, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Blown over turning off active runway. Severe excessive surface wind. Should have asked for wing walkers. (.4)on February 24, 1998, at 2100 central daylight… ## Other investigations on N2526U (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 MKC71FCG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71FCG66), May 17, 1971: Cessna 172D (N2526U), Olathe, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA66D0514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66D0514), Mar 31, 1966: Cessna 172 (N2526U), Chamblee, GA, 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.