# NTSB LAX91LA208: Cessna C172M, N73001, Coalinga, CA, May 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1991, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Coalinga, CA
- Coordinates: 36.189517, -120.389709 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1895&lon=-120.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27203
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27203/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA208

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A DUST DEVIL WHICH RESULTED IN HIS LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLLOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

APPROACHING THE DESTINATION AIRPORT THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE LOCAL WIND WAS CALM.  THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL LANDING AND DURING ROLLOUT HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND IT NOSED OVER IN A SOFT DIRT FIELD.  A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT, REPORTED OBSERVING A DUST DEVIL IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73001](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73001), registered now, S/N 17267232, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267232
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patterson Aviation
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: CLG, Coalinga Muni, runway 3, 4,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 160 total, 80 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19910511015369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910511015369A), May 11, 1991: Cessna 172M, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing roll. Ran off runway and nosed over. Possible dust devil on runway.

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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