# NTSB LAX82FUQ11: Cessna 172, N7498X, Lancaster, CA, March 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1982, 16:00 local (Mar 14, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Location: 34.7411° N, 118.2186° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GENERAL WM J FOX AIRFIELD (WJF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7411&lon=-118.2186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUQ11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUQ11

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

AT 1530 PST, THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE LANCASTER FSS. AT THAT TIME, THE WIND WAS VARIABLE, 230 TO 250 DEGREES, AT 20 KTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND WAS VARIABLE FROM THE SAME DIRECTION AT 22 TO 26 KTS, WHILE TAXIING TO RUNWAY 24. THE TAKEOFF WAS STARTED AT ABOUT 1600 PST. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AT THE ROTATION SPEED OF 60 TO 65 MPH WITH THE NOSEWHEEL OFF OF THE RUNWAY WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS HIT BY A SHEAR GUST FROM THE LEFT. HE STATED THE GUST WAS FROM 180 DEGREES AT 43 KTS. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THE NOSE GEAR FAILED, AND THE PLANE NOSED OVER. AT 1604 PST, THE WIND WAS FROM 230 DEGREES AT 27 GUSTING 37 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7498X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7498X-1983-03-29), registration cancelled 1983-03-29, S/N 17247998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247998
- Airframe hours: 1974
- Engines: LYCOMING O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Harris
- Registered owner: Charles Harris
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Destination: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Airport: WJF, Fox Field, runway 24, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 790 total, 423 in this make and model, 756 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 27 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 138 °F

## 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 19820313003719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820313003719A), Mar 13, 1982: Cessna 172B, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff roll in gusty surface wind. Gusts exceeded pilot and aircraft capabilities.

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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