# NTSB LAX83LA126: Cessna 120, N1958V, Prescott, AZ, March 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1983, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.6203, -112.419494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6203&lon=-112.4195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA126

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS TAXIING IN WINDS THAT WERE MODERATE & GUSTING. WHILE TAXIING, HE MADE S-TURNS & POSITIONED THE CONTROLS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND. AS HE APPROACHED THE RUN-UP AREA, HE REDUCED POWER TO SLOW DOWN. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE NOSE SUDDENLY PITCHED DOWN & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT SURE WHETHER HE OR THE PASSENGER ENGAGED THE BRAKES 'TOO HARD.' THE 1152 MST WINDS AT PRESCOTT, AZ WERE FROM 240 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1958V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1958V), registered now, S/N 14169, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14169
- Airframe hours: 2609
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Byron Heath
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1982, 100 hours before
- Airport: PRC, Love Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 81 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC

## 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 19830306006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830306006499A), Mar 6, 1983: Cessna 120, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot misused brakes during taxiing for takeoff and aircraft flipped over on its back.

## Other investigations on N1958V (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 FTW70F0301](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0301), Nov 15, 1969: Cessna 120 (N1958V), Mena, AR, substantial damage

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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