# NTSB GAA17CA175: Cessna 172, N7450X, Greenville, ME, March 2, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2017, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Greenville, ME - Coordinates: 45.462776, -69.551666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4628&lon=-69.5517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94829 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94829/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94829 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after a normal landing in gusting headwind conditions, he turned onto an intersecting runway, which resulted in gusting crosswind conditions. He added that he positioned the flight controls to compensate for the crosswind but that, after taxiing about 150 ft on the runway, the left wing lifted, and the airplane veered to the right and then nosed over on snow-covered terrain. The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind from 300° at 13 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The pilot reported that he was taxiing on runway 3. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a normal landing in gusting headwind conditions, he turned onto an intersecting runway which resulted in gusting crosswind conditions. He added that he positioned the flight controls to compensate for the crosswind, but after taxiing about 150 ft. on the runway the left wing lifted, the airplane veered to right, and nosed over on snow-covered terrain. The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station at the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 300° at 13 knots, gusting 28 knots. The pilot reported that he was taxiing on runway 3. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7450X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7450X-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 17247950, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17247950 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 2442 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300-D 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2016 - Departed: OLD, OLD TOWN, ME - Destination: 3B1, Greenville, ME - Airport: 3B1, Greenville Muni, runway 3, 3,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 17, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 770 total, 255 in this make and model, 670 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 13 knots, gusting 28 - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.42 inHg - Observed at: KGNR ## 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 20170302005519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170302005519A), Mar 2, 2017: Cessna 172B, Greenville, ME, Substantial damage. Pilot [privacy data omitted] PIC of Cessna 172 N7450X was flying from kold to 3B1 VFR. PIC got weather briefing from kbgr before departing kold and also looked… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94829. 802 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453021&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452053&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.