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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 30, 1997 · Cessna 172 · N5115K

Auburn, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Auburn, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N5115K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA97LA080

After landing in strong crosswinds, the flight instructor (CFI), receiving a flight review, turned off the active runway to taxi to the ramp. When turning off the runway to the east, away from the prevailing winds, the two CFI's found the winds too excessive to taxi, and decided to turn into the wind again. Before completing the turn, the winds picked up the tail. The airplane nosed over, sustaining damage to the right wing, vertical fin, rudder, and tailcone.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilots' inadequate evaluation of the strong winds, when they attempted to turn to taxi with a very strong tailwind. Factors relating to the accident included the high and unfavorable winds.

Full Narrative

On March 30, 1997, approximately 1300 Pacific standard time, N5115K, a Cessna 172, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over in strong winds while taxiing from the active runway at Auburn, Washington. The certified flight instructor and his student, who was a non-current certified flight instructor taking a biannual flight review, were uninjured in the accident. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions. The flight had departed Auburn about 1210. The ELT was not actuated. The flight instructor stated that after departure, they had contacted Renton ATCT, and found that the winds were approximately 30 knots directly across the runway. They then made a low approach at Boeing Field, where they also found the winds excessive, and then returned to Auburn, where the landing was successful. After landing in strong crosswinds, the CFI receiving a flight review turned off the active runway to taxi to the ramp. When turning off the runway to the east, away from the prevailing winds, the two CFI's found the winds too excessive to taxi, and decided to turn into the wind again. Before completing the turn, the winds picked up the tail. The airplane nosed over, sustaining damage to the right wing, vertical fin and rudder, and the tailcone.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 PST
Nearest AirportAuburn Municipal (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN5115K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 30 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data