# NTSB LAX92LA072: Cessna 172K, N79948, Kamuela, HI, December 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1991, 10:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Kamuela, HI
- Coordinates: 20.040424, -155.69934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.0404&lon=-155.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA072

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS ENCOUNTER WITH A WIND GUST BEYOND THE GROUND HANDLING CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN PREFLIGHT WEATHER INFORMATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE TOWER WAS REPORTING WINDS AT 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 42 KNOTS.  THE PRECEDING HOURLY WEATHER REPORT NOTED THE WINDS AS VARIABLE IN DIRECTION AT 30 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 44 KNOTS.  FAA FACILITY RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  THE PILOT WAS TAXIING IN FROM LANDING TOWARD THE RAMP AREA WHEN A GUST OF WIND BEGAN TO PICK UP THE RIGHT WING.  THE PILOT SHUT DOWN THE AIRCRAFT, RAN OVER TO THE RIGHT WING STRUT AND WAS HOLDING THE WING DOWN.  A SECOND AND STRONGER GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT OVER ONTO ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79948](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79948), registered now, S/N 17258275, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258275
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Peter P. Rowe
- Registered owner: Rowe & Rowe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: OOG, MAUI, HI
- Destination: MUE, KAMUELA, HI
- Airport: Waimea

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 20 knots, gusting 42
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MUE, 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 19911226057519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911226057519A), Dec 26, 1991: Cessna 172K, Kamuela, HI, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted wing taxiing to ramp. Shut down. Got out hold wing. Next gust flipped plane over.

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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