# NTSB SEA91LA241: Cessna 172N, N2185E, St George, UT, September 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1991, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: St George, UT
- Coordinates: 37.180477, -113.599021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1805&lon=-113.5990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA241

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT.  THE CROSSWIND AND THE STUDENT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE CESSNA 172N AFTER LANDING IN STRONG CROSSWIND CONDITIONS WHICH HE ENCOUNTERED WHEN ARRIVING AT HIS HOME BASE AFTER A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2185E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2185E), registered now, S/N 17271182, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Suntime Aviation
- Departed: U08, OVERTON, NV
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SGU, St George Muni, runway 16, 6,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 26 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 20 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- 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 19910914044389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910914044389A), Sep 14, 1991: Cessna 172N, Saint George, UT, Substantial damage. Student encountered strong unforecast surface wind,tried to land in excessive crosswind. Weather vaned. Nosed over.

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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