# NTSB LAX05CA322: Cessna 172P, N5394K, Reno, NV, October 1, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 30, 2005, 17:40 local (Oct 1, 2005, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.498889, -119.768058
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4989&lon=-119.7681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA322
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA322

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing in gusty 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, taxi - to takeoff
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The pilot lost control of the airplane while taxiing out to the departure runway, which resulted in the right wing impacting a perimeter fence.  According to the pilot, he accidentally taxied down a vehicle access road instead of the taxiway he was cleared for.  While he was taxiing down the road, the airplane encountered a "severe wind gust," which picked up the airplane and moved it 90 degrees to the right.  The airplane came to rest on the top of a fuel farm perimeter fence.  The pilot indicated that he had input crosswind controls during taxi.

## Factual narrative

On September 30, 2005, at 1740 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N5394K, impacted a fence while the pilot was taxiing to the departure runway at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada.  The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Reno Flying Service operated the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight.

According to the pilot's written statement, the ground controller at the airport cleared him to taxi to the active runway (16L) via taxiway Charlie.  The pilot accidentally taxied onto the vehicle access road that paralleled the assigned taxiway.  While he was taxiing down the road, the airplane encountered a "severe wind gust," which picked up the airplane and moved it 90 degrees to the right.  The airplane came to rest on top of a fuel farm perimeter fence, substantially damaging the right wing.

The pilot reported that he obtained the automated weather information, which reported the wind from 260 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots.  He added that he had established a crosswind correction control input while he was taxiing.  In addition, he reported no anomalies with the airplane or engine prior to impacting the fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5394K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-74093
- Airframe hours: 10328.6
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D25 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Reno Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005, 24 hours before
- Departed: RNO, Reno, NV
- Destination: Reno, NV
- Airport: RNO, Reno/Tahoe International, runway 16L, 9,000 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 651 total, 550 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: RNO

## 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 20050930024329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050930024329A), Sep 30, 2005: Cessna 172P, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) N5394K, a high wing Cessna 172 piloted by [privacy data omitted] was cleared to taxi from the sierra air center ramp to runway 16L at Reno/Tahoe…

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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