# NTSB LAX83LA102: Cessna 172RG, N9645B, Wenden, AZ, February 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1983, 18:45 local (Feb 15, 1983, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Wenden, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.059993, -113.50901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0600&lon=-113.5090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A PLOWED AREA OF A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP DURING LANDING AND NOSED OVER. THE PRIVATE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE BEGAN TO FLARE THE ACFT FOR LANDING TO THE WEST A GUST OF WIND FROM THE NORTH CAUSED THE ACFT TO DRIFT SOUTHWARD. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A PLOWED AREA ADJACENT TO THE AIRSTRIP AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS TO BE FROM THE NORTH AT 20 KTS GUSTING TO 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9645B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9645B-1997-12-13), registration cancelled 1997-12-13, S/N 172RG0941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0094L
- Airframe hours: 677
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Superstition Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1982, 92 hours before
- Departed: MESA, AZ
- Airport: Alder Ranch, runway 26, 3,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,004 total, 7 in this make and model, 6,875 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 350° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19830214005309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830214005309A), Feb 14, 1983: Cessna 172RG, Wenden, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot unable to maintain runway track during landing in gusty, crosswind condition.

## Other investigations on N9645B (1)

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 LAX92LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA228), May 31, 1992: Cessna 172RG (N9645B), Strawberry, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT COMMITTED SUICIDE DUE TO THE PILOT'S EMOTIONAL STATE FROM INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS.

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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