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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

March 4, 1996 · Cessna 172M · N61992

Bedford, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bedford, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N61992
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC96LA068

After returning from a cross-country flight and landing on runway 29, the student pilot stopped on a taxiway with the airplane heading about 200 degrees. The pilot reported: '...I landed very smoothly on runway 29...I throttled up a bit to expedite. Right wing wanted to lift. I set ailerons to compensate. I exited (the taxiway), crossed the threshold...A sudden sustained gust of wind came from my right rear. Stick was full forward and full left ailreon ... Right rear continued to lift and turned plane over ...' The winds were reported at 300 degrees at 28 knots. The student pilot was returning from a cross-country flight where he had diverted due to high winds and then received verbal approval to return home. Winds at the time of departure and arrival were in excess of the limitation placed in the student pilot's log book.

NTSB Probable Cause

the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, the pilot's improper compensation for the wind conditions, and the high wind. The instructor's inadequate evaluation of the weather was a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On March 4, 1996, at 1457 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N61992, nosed over while stopped on a taxiway at Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts. The student pilot was not injured, and the airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight, which had departed Portland, Maine at 1408, had been operating on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot was completing a solo cross-country flight. The flight originated at Bedford, at 0950, and was destined for Lewiston, Maine; however, due to en route winds, he diverted to Portland. He then telephoned his flight instructor, and discussed the situation with him. His flight instructor verbally approved his return flight, after which the student pilot departed for Bedford. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: "...I landed very smoothly on runway 29...I throttle[d] up a bit to expedite exit. Right wing wanted to lift. I set ailerons to compensate. I exited at taxiway golf, crossed the threshold...A sudden sustained gust of wind came from my right rear. Stick was full forward and full left aileron. I was fully stopped. Right rear continued to lift and turned plane over.... In a telephone interview, the student pilot reported that the airplane was stopped, and pointed about 90 degrees to the runway (about 200 degrees), on taxiway GOLF, when the nose over occurred. The control tower reported winds of 300 degrees, at 28 knots, about 30 seconds prior to the accident, and winds from 320 degrees, at 24 knots, about 30 seconds after the accident. The student pilot's log book contained a cross-country endorsement with a wind limitation of 15 knots, which his flight instructor said applied to steady winds, and the student pilot reported he was unaware of. No record of a briefing from either an FAA Flight Service Station or DUAT was found under the student pilot's or flight instructor's name, or the airplane registration number. The flight school had checked the weather at 0938 via DUAT on March 4, 1996, and posted it for their students. The data indicated that the winds at the planned destination of Lewiston were from 320 degrees, 16 knots, with gusts to 23 knots. The terminal forecasts for Boston, Portland, and Augusta, Maine, had forecasts for sustained winds and/or gusts in excess of 15 knots through 2100. An AIRMET was in affect for turbulence; however, it was not printed on the DUAT weather briefing because the option for AIRMETS was not selected. The student pilot had received a weather briefing prior to departure from Portland.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:57 EST
Nearest AirportHanscom Field (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length7001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN61992
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 28 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data