# NTSB SEA91LA011: Cessna 172G, N4174L, Anacortes, WA, October 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1990, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Anacortes, WA
- Coordinates: 48.46075, -122.600433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4607&lon=-122.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA011

## Probable cause

THE PILOT POORLY COMPENSATED FOR THE WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING TO THE PARKING RAMP FROM LANDING IN WINDS OF 45 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 60 KNOTS, PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS APPLYING AILERON AND ELEVATOR CONTROL DOWN TO THE WIND. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNED 20 DEGREES TOWARD THE RAMP, WHEN A GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE AIRPLANE SIDEWAYS. THE RIGHT WING RAISED AND THE PILOT TRIED TO TURN THE AIRPLANE INTO THE WIND. UNABLE TO TURN THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRPLANE AWAY FROM THE WIND AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4174L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4174L-1993-11-23), registration cancelled 1993-11-23, S/N 17254243 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254243
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Penwell, Frank M.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: FHR, FRIDAY HARBOR, WA
- Airport: 74S, Anacortes, runway 18, 3,015 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 325 total, 197 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 45 knots, gusting 60
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19901027047309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901027047309A), Oct 27, 1990: Cessna 172G, Anacortes, WA, Substantial damage. While trying to taxi to ramp after landing blown over by severe gusty surface wind.

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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