# NTSB LAX99LA079: Cessna 152, N96640, Phoenix, AZ, January 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 21, 1999, 16:38 local (23:38 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.680389, -112.090103 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6804&lon=-112.0901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45679 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45679/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA079 ## Probable cause The CFI's loss of airplane control upon encountering a dust devil due to his improper in-flight decision to land in proximity to the observed adverse weather conditions. ## 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 - dust devil/whirlwind (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Nose over, taxi - from landing - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that he decided to complete the instructional lesson with his 25-hour student pilot after flying in the local area and performing three touch-and-go landings. The CFI indicated that he observed a dust devil near the airport while on base leg, but its proximity to the airplane's planned course did not look close enough to result in his aborting the approach and landing. The CFI stated he believed that if he hurried up he could land before the dust devil became a factor. After landing without mishap, the crew turned off the runway and the dust devil contacted the airplane. Control was lost control and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On January 21, 1999, at 1638 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N96640, operated by Westwind Aviation Academy, nosed over while taxiing from landing on runway 25R at the Deer Valley Municipal Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the commercial pilot, who was performing as a certified flight instructor, nor the student pilot was injured. The flight originated from the Deer Valley Municipal Airport about 1430. The flight instructor (CFI) reported that he decided to complete the instructional lesson after flying in the local area and performing three touch-and-go landings at the airport. The CFI indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he observed a dust devil near the airport while on base leg, but its proximity to the airplane's planned course did not look close enough to result in his aborting the approach and landing. The CFI stated that he thought he could hurry up and land to get out of its way. The student pilot reported that they landed without mishap and turned off the runway. Then, the dust devil suddenly contacted the airplane and control was lost. During the mishap, both crewmembers were handling the flight controls. An on-duty Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller observed the accident and reported that he had observed the dust devil moving in a southeasterly direction at a high rate of speed. The dust devil crossed directly over the airplane causing the tail to become airborne and completely flipping the airplane over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96640](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96640-1999-03-29), registration cancelled 1999-03-29, S/N 15286016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15286016 - Airframe hours: 7612 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Westwind Aviation Academy - Registered owner: Griffin Investment Group LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 15, 1998 - Departed: DVT - Airport: DVT, Phoenix-Deer Valley Muni, runway 25R, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 506 total, 330 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 19 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DVT ## 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 19990121000649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990121000649A), Jan 21, 1999: Cessna 152, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Student pilot was practicing touch and go landings when he encountered a dust devil after the 4th landing and the acft flipped over on the rwy. Other… 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.