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WPR21LA192

2021-05-05 · Lewiston, Idaho, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport LWS

Current FAA registration · N733BT

Make / Model
CESSNA 172N
Year of manufacture
1976 · 45 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19761116
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9D65B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxiing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a taxiway excursion and collision with a fence.

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that while taxiing, the airplane unexpectedly turned hard to the right, and he applied full left rudder to counteract what he thought was the result of a strong wind gust. The airplane exited the right side of the taxiway where he applied the brakes. Despite his actions the airplane continued down an embankment and collided with a fence where it came to a stop. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the left wing impacted terrain which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported the wind as variable at 7-9 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Incorrect use/operation
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2021_WPR21LA192.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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