# NTSB LAX91LA241: Cessna 172M, N12447, Crescent City, CA, June 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1991, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Crescent City, CA
- Coordinates: 41.780525, -124.160964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7805&lon=-124.1610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA241

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EMPLOY PROPER FLIGHT CONTROL POSITIONING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAXI.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAXIING FROM LANDING AT AN INTERMEDIATE REFUELING STOP DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PILOT LANDED ON RUNWAY 29, AND WIND CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 330 DEGREES AT 28 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 38 KNOTS. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AT A TAXIWAY BUT STRONG WINDS PREVENTED THE AIRPLANE FROM TURNING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE BEGAN TO TURN BACK TO THE RUNWAY, WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING, FLIPPING THE AIRPLANE OVER TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED WITH THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE POINTED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12447](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12447), registered now, S/N 17261988, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- 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: 17261988
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Duane Langeliers
- Registered owner: Big M Flying Club Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1990, 54 hours before
- Departed: HQM, HOQUAIM, WA
- Airport: CEC, Crescent City, runway 29, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 300 total, 61 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 28 knots, gusting 38
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEC, 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 19910603019169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910603019169A), Jun 3, 1991: Cessna 172M, Crescent City, CA, Substantial damage. Blown over by strong surface wind while turning off landing runway. Surface wind excessive for high wing unassisted

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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