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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

April 25, 1996 · Cessna 172 · N18HZ

Terre Haute, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Terre Haute, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N18HZ
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA143

The pilot reported that while taxiing on runway 31, he turned the yoke 45 degrees to the right and forward since the winds were from 100 degrees off the nose to the left. After taxiing about 50 yards, the airplane started to roll forward and the tail began to lift. The tail continued to rise and the propeller struck the pavement. Within seconds, the airplane nosed over on its back. A Cessna taxiing diagram indicated that the proper procedure for taxiing with a left quartering tailwind was with down aileron on the left wing and down elevator. Neither the Pilot's Operating Handbook nor the Federal Aviation Administration's Flight Training Handbook discussed the technique of turning the yoke only 45 degrees. Both publications indicated that the respective aileron should be moved either up or down. The wind was reported to be from 210 degrees at 30, gusting 40 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his inadequate compensation (or inability to compensate) for the wind condition. The high/gusty wind condition was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On April 25, 1996, at 1245 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N18HZ, operated by Martin Aviation, sustained substantial damage while taxiing from landing when a gust of wind nosed the airplane over on its back. The commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR 91 flight had landed on runway 23 and had turned right onto runway 31 at Hulman Regional Airport, Terre Haute, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. Local winds at the time of the accident were reported as being from 210 degrees at 30 knots, gusting to 40 knots. The pilot reported that while taxiing on runway 31, he turned the yoke 45 degrees to the right and forward since the winds were 100 degrees off the nose to the left. He reported that after taxiing about 50 yards, the airplane started to roll forward and the tail lifted straight up. The pilot reported that the tail continued to go straight up and the propeller struck the pavement. Within seconds the airplane had nosed over on its back. The pilot shut off the fuel mixture and evacuated the airplane. The Cessna taxiing diagram indicates that the proper procedure for taxiing with a left quartering tailwind is down aileron on the left wing and down elevator. Neither the Cessna Pilot's Operating Handbook nor the Federal Aviation Administration's Flight Training Handbook discuss the technique of turning the yoke 45 degrees. In both publications the aileron is either up or down. (See attachments)

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 EDT
Nearest AirportHulman Regional (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length5299 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN18HZ
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 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 30 kt, gusting 40 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data