# NTSB LAX92LA158: Piper PA-28-161, N28723, Douglas, AZ, April 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1992, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, AZ
- Coordinates: 31.539068, -109.459114 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5391&lon=-109.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA158

## Probable cause

AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN UNFORECASTED HIGH VELOCITY WIND GUST WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER TO AN INVERTED POSITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING TO A RUN-UP AREA ADJACENT TO THE ACTIVE RUNWAY FOR A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED A 'SUDDEN STRONG WIND GUST' OCCURRED THAT RENDERED ALL ATTEMPTS OF CROSS-CONTROLLING THE AIRCRAFT IN A GUSTY WIND CONDITION INEFFECTIVE. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER. ADDITIONALLY, TWO WITNESSES LOCATED CLOSE TO THE SCENE REPORTED AN 'EXTREMELY STRONG' WIND GUST SUDDENLY AROSE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WHICH REPORTEDLY RATTLED BUILDING ROOFS AND THREW A PEDESTRIAN AGAINST A STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28723](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28723-1992-12-01), registration cancelled 1992-12-01, S/N 287916410 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-79
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cochise Community College
- Registered owner: Cochise Community College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 23, 1992, 42 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: P03, Cochise College Airport, runway 5, 4,800 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,981 total, 84 in this make and model, 2,612 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 23 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DUG, 8 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 19920401007889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920401007889A), Apr 1, 1992: Piper PA28161, Douglas, AZ, Substantial damage. Blown over by a severe wind gust turning on pad for runup.

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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