# NTSB LAX91LA119: Cessna 172G, N4417L, Reno, NV, March 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1991, 11:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.480083, -119.739723 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4801&lon=-119.7397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA119

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/PREPARATION DECISION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH WIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT IN COMMANDS INABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE 1432-HOUR COMMERCIAL PILOT LISTENED TO THE LOCAL ATIS BROADCAST WHICH REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WIND WAS FROM 130 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS.  THEREAFTER, THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAXI FOR TAKEOFF, AND HE PROCEEDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS TAXI CLEARANCE.  ENROUTE TO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY THE PILOT STOPPED HIS AIRPLANE ON A 070 DEGREE HEADING TO ALLOW GROUND TRAFFIC TO PASS HIS POSITION.  WHILE HOLDING, A GUST OF WIND UPSET HIS AIRPLANE TIPPING IT INTO ITS NOSE AND LEFT WING.  TWO MINUTES LATER THE GROUND CONTROLLER NOTIFIED ANOTHER AIRPLANE THAT THE WIND WAS PRESENTLY FROM 150 DEGREES AT 40 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4417L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4417L-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 17254504, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254504
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth G. Warner
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: RNO, Reno Cannon Intl, runway 16, 10,002 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,432 total, 64 in this make and model, 1,296 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 40 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Observed at: RNO, 1 nm away

## 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 19910302003859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910302003859A), Mar 2, 1991: Cessna 172G, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Stopped on taxiway,tail into wind to permit another aircraft to pass. Wind blew aircraft up on nose and left wing.

## Other investigations on N4417L (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 LAX92LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA286), Jul 3, 1992: Cessna 172G (N4417L), Tonopah, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY IDENTIFY AND COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING TAILWIND CONDITIONS, AND, HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO AROUND WHEN HE BECAME AWARE OF BEING HIGH WITH A FAST GROUND…

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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