# NTSB SEA00LA154: Cessna 120, N2007V, Arco, ID, September 13, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2000, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Arco, ID
- Coordinates: 43.650588, -113.279357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6506&lon=-113.2794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - BOISE FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA154

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition.  Wind gust was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he checked the wind conditions via the automated weather, and a visual check of the wind socks at either end of the runway.  The winds were calm, and the pilot set-up for a landing.  The pilot reported that just before the airplane touched down, a gust of wind raised the left wing.  The right wing contacted the runway surface and the airplane veered to the right.  The airplane exited the side of the runway and traveled into a ditch, nosing over and coming to rest inverted.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On September 13, 2000, about 0845 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 120, N2007V, registered to Acme Aviation, and operated by a student pilot, nosed over during landing at Arco-Butte County airport, Arco, Idaho.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured.  The flight departed from Rexburg, Idaho, about 55 minutes prior to the accident.

The student pilot reported that prior to landing on runway 06, he checked the wind conditions, via the automated weather reported for the airport, and then verified by the wind socks located at either end of the runway that the winds were calm.  The pilot set-up for an approach to runway 06.  Just before the aircraft touched down, a gust of wind from the left raised the left wing.  The right wing contacted the runway surface and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway and into a ditch.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2007V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2007V-2017-04-18), registration cancelled 2017-04-18, S/N 14218, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14218
- Airframe hours: 4201
- Engines: Continental C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Acme Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 2000, 97 hours before
- Departed: RXE, REXBURG, ID
- Destination: AOC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AOC, Arco-Butte County, runway 06, 6,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 35 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 20000913014509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000913014509A), Sep 13, 2000: Cessna 120, Arco, ID, No damage. (-23) Student pilot lost control on landing at Arco, Idaho while on a solo cross country training flight. Weather forecast was for clear skys and calm winds.…

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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