SEA97LA080

Factual 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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12