# NTSB NYC95LA062: Cessna 172L, N7002Q, Saratoga Spgs, NY, February 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1995, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Saratoga Spgs, NY - Coordinates: 43.060321, -73.769027 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0603&lon=-73.7690&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38924 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38924/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA062 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT IN ATTEMPTING A FLIGHT UNDER THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, standing - engine(s) operating - weather condition - high wind (cause) - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, HE STOPPED TO DETERMINE WHICH RUNWAY TO USE; RWY 23 0R 32. WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS STOPPED ON THE TAXIWAY ON A HEADING OF APPROX 360 DEG, THE RIGHT WING AND TAIL WERE LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED THE WINDS FROM 280 DEG AT 26 KTS, GUSTING TO 36 KTS. ## Factual narrative On Friday, February 24, 1995 about 1215 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 172L, N7002Q piloted by William E. Huber on an instructional flight was substantially damaged during taxi at Saratoga Springs, New York. The two flight instructors received no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated, he departed Albany, New York on a local training flight with a planned stop at Saratoga County. He landed on runway 23 at Saratoga County. He went inside for some coffee and estimated the winds got stronger during that time. During the taxi for takeoff, he stopped to determine which runway to takeoff, 23 or 32. The airplane was stopped on the taxiway on a heading of approximately 360 degrees and the right wing and tail were lifted off the ground and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated he was using crosswind taxi techniques in accordance with the amplified procedures in the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH). The weather observation facility at Saratoga County at 1215 est, reported the winds from 280 degrees at 26 knots with gusts up to 37 knots. The crosswind component chart showed a maximum crosswind component of 24 knots for runway 32 and 29 knots for runway 23. While on the taxiway, the maximum crosswind component was 36 knots. The POH stated, "Maximum Demonstrated Crosswind Velocity: Takeoff or Landing...15 KNOTS". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7002Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7002Q-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 17260302, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260302 - Airframe hours: 5528 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Huber, William E. - Registered owner: Huber, William E. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1995, 32 hours before - Departed: ALB, ALBANY, NY - Airport: 5B2, Saratoga County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,600 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 15,420 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 26 knots, gusting 37 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: 5B2 ## 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 19950224002569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950224002569A), Feb 24, 1995: Cessna 172L, Saratoga Spring, NY, Substantial damage. Stopped crosswind during taxi for takeoff. Was blown over by 37 knot wind. Crosswind component 15 knots. ## Other investigations on N7002Q (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA75DKT82](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DKT82), May 24, 1975: Cessna 172L (N7002Q), Sanibel Island, FL, substantial damage 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.