# NTSB SEA92LA059: Cessna 172G, N4615L, Billings, MT, March 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1992, 10:08 local (17:08 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.869178, -108.469108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8692&lon=-108.4691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA059

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

FOLLOWING LANDING ON RUNWAY 27R AT THE BILLINGS LOGAN INTNL AIRPORT, THE AIRCRAFT WEATHERVANED TO THE LEFT.  THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RUDDER DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER COMING TO REST INVERTED ON THE FIXED DISTANCE MARKER 1000 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. WINDS DURING THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT WERE CONSISTENTLY 220 DEGREES MAGNETIC AT 12 TO 13 KNOTS.  THE STUDENT PILOT HAD ACCRUED A TOTAL OF 29 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE OF WHICH 8 HOURS HAD BEEN LOGGED IN THE 30 DAYS PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4615L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4615L), registered now, S/N 17254610, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254610
- Airframe hours: 1638
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mescalleros Flying Club
- Registered owner: Mescalleros Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1991, 101 hours before
- Airport: BIL, Billings Logan Int'L, runway 27, 10,528 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920315006309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920315006309A), Mar 15, 1992: Cessna 172G, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Weathervaned into crosswind on landing. Student used brake to compensate. Aircraft 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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