# NTSB WPR24LA095: Cessna 172N, N739UE, Casper, WY, February 26, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 26, 2024, 12:32 local (19:32 UTC)
- Place: Casper, WY
- Coordinates: 42.902473, -106.46318
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9025&lon=-106.4632&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: 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
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193848/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193848
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA095

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while taxiing with a crosswind.

## Findings

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

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); 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)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi-from runway: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: 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)
- [Taxi-from runway: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, after landing with a crosswind, he exited the runway onto a taxiway using crosswind correction with the ailerons and elevator. Shortly after, the airplane was struck by a gust of wind and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739UE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739UE-2025-02-11), registration cancelled 2025-02-11, S/N 17270810, 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: 17270810
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 10891
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: American Patrols Inc
- Registered owner: American Patrols Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 2024, 25 hours before
- Departed: CYS, Cheyenne, WY
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: CPR, Casper/Natrona County Intl, runway 03/21, 10,165 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,106 total, 936 in this make and model, 916 as pilot in command, 301 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 36 knots, gusting 53
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.55 inHg
- Icing: Unknown
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KCPR, 1 nm away
- METAR: KCPR 261953Z 24039G53KT 10SM CLR 11/M08 A2951 RMK AO2 PK WND 24053/1949 SLP968 T01111083

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 15, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193848. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16857630&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array-accident site (courtesy of casper fire) (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16857421&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Accident%20site.-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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