# NTSB LAX96LA070: Cessna 208B, N987FE, Sacramento, CA, December 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 12, 1995, 05:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.510749, -121.490005 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5107&lon=-121.4900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29352 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29352/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA070 ## Probable cause the pilot was given an erroneous wind velocity due to a malfunctioning wind gauge in the control tower. Factors relating to the accident were: the high/gusty wind conditions, and the pilot's improper evaluation of the actual wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, taxi - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - meteorological equipment - false/incorrect indication (cause) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis Prior to taxi, the tower reported that the wind velocity was 24 knots with gusts to 27 knots. The pilot reported that while taxiing, he could not maintain the aircraft on the taxiway centerline due to strong winds. He decided to return to the ramp. When past 90 degrees of the turnaround, the aircraft tipped over onto its left wing and nose. Investigation revealed that the wind gauge in the tower had malfunctioned and was indicating 20 knots less wind than actually existed. ## Factual narrative On December 12, 1995, at 0530 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 208B, N987FE, owned by Federal Express, tipped over during a taxi back to the ramp area. The aircraft received substantial damage to the left wing and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time with gusty winds. The aircraft was operated by West Air Industries of Fresno, California, as a 14 CFR Part 135 cargo flight to Oakland, California. The pilot reported that before his planned departure from Sacramento, he checked the weather conditions from his dispatch and ATIS for the flight to Oakland. While getting his clearance, he heard the winds were 24 knots gusting to 27 knots, duplicating the winds from the night before. The pilot departed the general aviation ramp and proceeded to taxi to the runway. He had problems during the taxi and wasn't able to maintain centerline discipline. He decided to return to the ramp and as the aircraft turned to the right past the 90-degree point, the aircraft turned over onto the left wing, also striking the propeller. He shut down the engine, secured the aircraft, and called for the emergency equipment. Subsequent information from the FAA revealed that the wind-measuring gauge in the tower had malfunctioned and indicated 20 knots lower than the actual reported wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N987FE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N987FE), registered now, S/N 208B0201, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 208B - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0201 - Airframe hours: 2841 - Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: West Air Industries, doing business as Federal Express - Registered owner: Federal Express Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, December 11, 1995, 2 hours before - Departed: SMF - Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: SMF, Sacramento Metro ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,300 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 144 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 120° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SMF ## 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 19951212043349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951212043349A), Dec 12, 1995: Cessna 208B, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Nosed up and over on a wing trying to taxi in severe surface wind gust. Tower wind gauge error. Gust to 47 knots. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.