# NTSB SEA88LA056: Cessna 172, N98525, Las Vegas, NV, March 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1988, 17:20 local (Mar 10, 1988, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.379356, -115.509414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3794&lon=-115.5094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - performed
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT FOR A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITHOUT FILING A FLIGHT PLAN OR OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING. UPON RETURNING TO THE ORIGINATING AIRPORT HE DISCOVERED THAT THE WINDS WERE UNFAVORABLE FOR LANDING AT THAT AIRPORT. THE PILOT THEN DIVERTED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT WHERE THE WINDS WERE MORE DIRECTLY ALGNED WITH THE RUNWAY. DURING TAXI AFTER LANDING A STRONG GUST OF WIND OCCURRED, NOSING THE AIRCRAFT OVER INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98525](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98525), registered now, S/N 17276306, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276306
- Airframe hours: 1482
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William J. Walker, doing business as K & M Aviation
- Registered owner: William J. Walker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 25, 1988, 16 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: L15, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: LAS, Mccarran Intn'L.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 78 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880309006369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880309006369A), Mar 9, 1988: Cessna 172P, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Blown over trying to taxi unaided after landing in wind gusts up to 50 knots. Student solo cross country.

## Other investigations on N98525 (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 CHI94LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA324), Sep 10, 1994: Cessna 172 (N98525), Warrenton, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to use the proper procedure for an aborted takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the trees, the pilot's poor preflight/preparation, and the pilot's selection of…

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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