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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 21, 1999 · Cessna 152 · N96640

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N96640
Operator
Westwind Aviation Academy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA079

The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that he decided to complete the instructional lesson with his 25-hour student pilot after flying in the local area and performing three touch-and-go landings. The CFI indicated that he observed a dust devil near the airport while on base leg, but its proximity to the airplane's planned course did not look close enough to result in his aborting the approach and landing. The CFI stated he believed that if he hurried up he could land before the dust devil became a factor. After landing without mishap, the crew turned off the runway and the dust devil contacted the airplane. Control was lost control and the airplane nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The CFI's loss of airplane control upon encountering a dust devil due to his improper in-flight decision to land in proximity to the observed adverse weather conditions.

Full Narrative

On January 21, 1999, at 1638 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N96640, operated by Westwind Aviation Academy, nosed over while taxiing from landing on runway 25R at the Deer Valley Municipal Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the commercial pilot, who was performing as a certified flight instructor, nor the student pilot was injured. The flight originated from the Deer Valley Municipal Airport about 1430. The flight instructor (CFI) reported that he decided to complete the instructional lesson after flying in the local area and performing three touch-and-go landings at the airport. The CFI indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he observed a dust devil near the airport while on base leg, but its proximity to the airplane's planned course did not look close enough to result in his aborting the approach and landing. The CFI stated that he thought he could hurry up and land to get out of its way. The student pilot reported that they landed without mishap and turned off the runway. Then, the dust devil suddenly contacted the airplane and control was lost. During the mishap, both crewmembers were handling the flight controls. An on-duty Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller observed the accident and reported that he had observed the dust devil moving in a southeasterly direction at a high rate of speed. The dust devil crossed directly over the airplane causing the tail to become airborne and completely flipping the airplane over.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:38 MST
Nearest AirportPhoenix-Deer Valley Muni (0nm)
Runway25R
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN96640
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestwind Aviation Academy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 19 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 18 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data