Other Weather Encounter: Cessna 172K Skyhawk, N7199G; accident occurred March 22, 2022 at Yoakum County Airport (F98), Plains, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

American Patriots Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N7199G

Location: Plains, Texas 

Accident Number: CEN22LA155

Date and Time: March 22, 2022, 12:00 Local 

Registration: N7199G

Aircraft: Cessna 172K 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Other weather encounter

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

Analysis

After the landing the pilot stopped the airplane on the taxiway and noted that the airspeed indicator indicated almost 40 knots due to the wind. The pilot taxied the airplane toward the fuel pump with aileron crosswind correction and heard the stall warning horn sound. The wind lifted the right wing, so the pilot pulled the throttle to idle and applied the brakes. The left wing and propeller struck the ground as the wind continued to push the airplane across the ground. The left wing sustained substantial damage. After the pilot egressed, a gust of wing flipped the airplane inverted.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during taxi with a strong crosswind.

Findings

Environmental issues High wind - Effect on equipment

Environmental issues High wind - Contributed to outcome

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Taxi-from runway Other weather encounter (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial 

Age: 22,Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used: 3-point

Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: October 5, 2021

Occupational Pilot: Yes 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 20, 2022

Flight Time: 1468 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1300 hours (Total, this make and model), 1407 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 182 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 21 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna

Registration: N7199G

Model/Series: 172K 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1969 

Amateur Built:

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 17258899

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle

Seats: 4

Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 17, 2022 AAIP 

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection: 24 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 4532 Hrs at time of accident 

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: C91 installed, not activated 

Engine Model/Series: O-320-E2D

Registered Owner:

Rated Power: 150 Horsepower

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KGNC,3315 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 34 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 11:55 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 165°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Visibility: 4 miles

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 21 knots / 34 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 360° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg 

Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C / -5°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - None - Haze

Departure Point: Midland, TX (7T7)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Plains, TX

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 08:01 Local

Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Yoakum County Airport F98

Runway Surface Type: Asphalt

Airport Elevation: 3705 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition: Dry

Runway Used: 35 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width: 3924 ft / 60 ft

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 33.218249,-102.82631

Location: Plains, Texas

Accident Number: CEN22LA155

Date and Time: March 22, 2022, 12:00 Local 

Registration: N7199G

Aircraft: Cessna 172K 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 

Registration: N7199G

Model/Series: 172K 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KGNC, 3315 ft msl 

Observation Time: 11:55 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 34 Nautical Miles 

Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C /-5°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 21 knots / 34 knots, 360°

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility: 4 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.08 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

Departure Point: 

Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 33.218249,-102.82631