# NTSB SEA94LA043: Cessna 172H, N3734F, Cheyenne, WY, December 31, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 1993, 10:19 local (17:19 UTC) - Place: Cheyenne, WY - Coordinates: 41.36943, -104.850303 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3694&lon=-104.8503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41863 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41863/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA043 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH WINDS, GUSTS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE OPERATING IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, taxi - from landing - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE STUDENT PILOT, WHO HAD PLANNED TO DO PRACTICE MANUEVERS IN THE AREA OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, DECIDED TO LAND AT A DIFFERENT AIRPORT IN ORDER TO USE THE REST ROOM. AT THE TIME OF HIS LANDING, THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE GUSTING UP TO 50 KNOTS, AND AS HE TURNED OFF THE RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLIPPED OVER BY A GUST OF WIND. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 1993, at 1019 mountain standard time (MST), a Cessna 172, N3734F, flipped over while turning off the runway at Cheyenne Airport, Cheyenne, Wyoming. The student pilot received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The solo instructional flight, which was being operated in visual meteorological conditions, had departed Pine Bluffs Municipal Airport, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, about an hour and twenty minutes earlier. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the student pilot, he had originally planned to do air-work in the area of Pine Bluffs, but changed his mind and decided to land at Cheyenne Airport in order to use the rest room. At the time of his landing on runway 26, the winds were 270 degrees at 36 knots, gusting up to 50 knots. As he turned off the runway, the aircraft was caught by a strong gust of wind and flipped over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3734F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3734F-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 17255229, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255229 - Airframe hours: 6200 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pines Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1993, 30 hours before - Departed: 82V, PINE BLUFFS, WY - Airport: CYS, Cheyenne Airport, runway 26, 9,200 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 44 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 36 knots, gusting 50 - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CYS ## 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 19931231047429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931231047429A), Dec 31, 1993: Cessna 172H, Cheyenne, WY, Substantial damage. Landed at undestignated airport on crosscountry to use a restroom. After landing was blown over by 50 knot wind. ## Other investigations on N3734F (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 MKC74DCQ14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DCQ14), Sep 10, 1973: Cessna 172 (N3734F), Inman, KS, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.