# NTSB LAX08CA015: Cessna 172N, N5323D, Daggett, CA, October 20, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2007, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Daggett, CA - Coordinates: 34.8561111111111, -116.783333333333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8561&lon=-116.7833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66932/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA015 ## Probable cause The flight's encounter with a strong gusty wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, taxi - from landing - weather condition - high wind (cause) - weather condition - gusts (cause) ## Analysis While turning onto a taxiway from the runway, the airplane was struck by a gust of wind that flipped the airplane over onto its back. The pilot had diverted to an alternate airport after encountering severe turbulence and strong winds during cruise flight. The pilot checked the weather on ATIS at the alternate airport and noted the winds were from 250 degrees at 34 knots. The flight was cleared to land on runway 26; the landing was normal. As the pilot turned the airplane onto the taxiway a gust of wind struck the airplane. Airport personnel noted the winds were from 220 degrees at 35 knots gusting to 50 knots. ## Factual narrative In the pilot's written statement he reported that both pilots had planned a round robin cross-country flight from El Monte Airport (EMT), El Monte, California, to Kingman Airport (IGM), Kingman, Arizona, in order to build flight time; they had just both received their private pilot certificates about a month prior to the accident flight. They received weather information from DUAT's and departed EMT at 0600 Pacific daylight time. The flight reached IGM about 0900, they refueled the airplane, and took off about 1345. While at IGM, they checked the winds aloft and noted the winds were from 230 degrees at 25 knots. There were no problems with the flight until Hector VOR, where they said they encountered "severe turbulence." The pilot stated that he was not able to maintain the heading or altitude, and a dust storm was in the area. They decided divert to the Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG), Daggett, California, and not chance a flight through the Cajon Pass where there was the possibility of severe downdrafts over the mountains. The pilot stated that he checked the ATIS at DAG and noted that the winds were 250 degrees at 34 knots. The tower controller at DAG cleared the pilot to land on runway 26. The landing was normal, and the flight was cleared off the active runway. The pilot taxied the airplane to the taxiway and stopped to look at the "signboard showing [the] directions for parking." At that point the airplane was struck by a strong gust wind and flipped over. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with airplane. According to DAG airport personnel, the winds were from 220 degrees at 35 knots gusting to 50 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5323D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5323D-2008-05-09), registration cancelled 2008-05-09, S/N 17272518, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272518 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Universal Aviators Academy, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IGM, KINGMAN, AZ - Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA - Airport: DAG, Barstow-Daggett, runway 26, 6,400 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review September 1, 2007; flight hours: 149 total, 149 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; flight hours: 130 total, 130 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 34 knots, gusting 50 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: DAG ## 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 20071020827879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071020827879A), Oct 20, 2007: Cessna 172N, Daggett, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing at Barstow-Daggett Airport runway 26 and during taxi on bravo, encountered strong winds and flipped over at 1550 PDT causing substantial… 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.