# NTSB LAX87LA108: Cessna 172N, N64484, Yuma, AZ, February 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1987, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.679069, -114.660095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6791&lon=-114.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA108

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 172M VEERED LEFT DURING TAKEOFF GROUND RUN ON RWY 8 AND NOSED DOWN ON THE RWY. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A LEFT 90 DEGREE X-WIND GUSTING UP TO 20 KTS. THE ACFT BEGAN TO VEER UNCONTROLLED INTO THE WIND. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AT WHICH TIME THE ACFT TURNED SIDEWARDS. THE ACFT THEN NOSED DOWN AND CAME TO REST ON THE RIGHT WING AND NOSE COWLING. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THE ACFT WAS MODIFIED WITH A TAILWHEEL CONVERSION AND THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 350 DEGREES AT 12 KTS GUSTING TO 24 KTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THE ACFT INDICATES THAT 15 KTS IS THE MAX DEMONSTRATED X-WIND VELOCITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N64484 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265361
- Airframe hours: 2039
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cactus Transport Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1986, 46 hours before
- Departed: YUM, YUMA, AZ
- Destination: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ
- Airport: YUM, Yuma Mcas, runway 8, 6,145 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 471 total, 467 in this make and model, 449 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YUM

## 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 19870204001659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870204001659A), Feb 4, 1987: Cessna STC172, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft ground looped on takeoff. The pilot attempted flight in gusty crosswinds. Tailwheel conversion.

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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