# NTSB WPR21LA192: Cessna 172N, N733BT, Lewiston, ID, May 5, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 5, 2021, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lewiston, ID
- Coordinates: 46.380278, -117.0202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3803&lon=-117.0202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103070/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103070
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA192

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxiing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a taxiway excursion and collision with a fence.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that while taxiing, the airplane unexpectedly turned hard to the right, and he applied full left rudder to counteract what he thought was the result of a strong wind gust. The airplane exited the right side of the taxiway where he applied the brakes. Despite his actions the airplane continued down an embankment and collided with a fence where it came to a stop. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported the wind as variable at 7-9 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733BT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733BT), registered now, S/N 17268174, built 1976 (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: 17268174
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 7762
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Northern Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Williams David A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2021, 89 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LWS, Lewiston-Nez Perce County, runway 12/30, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 6.4 as pilot in command, 38.1 in the last 90 days, 16.1 in the last 30 days, 3.3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 9 knots

## 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 20210505008479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210505008479A), May 5, 2021: Cessna 172N, Lewiston, ID, Substantial damage. Student pilot taxiing after landing at lws runway 12 turned off on taxi way d and while taxiing back on taxiway c for takeoff on runway 12 loss control of…

## Other investigations on N733BT (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 WPR11CA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA337), Jul 17, 2011: Cessna 172N (N733BT), Porthill, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a pole.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103070. 3.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12294913&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array-faa photography (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12541442&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array2-Rel.pdf

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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