NTSB WPR22LA336 — 2022-09-05 · Scappoose, Oregon, United States

Current FAA registration · N77257

Make / Model: CESSNA 120
Year of manufacture: 1946 · 76 years old at event
Engine: CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19570312
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AA739C

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N77257 Cessna 120 Minor

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while taxing in gusty wind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during taxi southbound for takeoff he noticed the windsock in a north-northwest wind direction. He had the flight controls in a neutral position and the engine speed was 800 rpm when he encountered a strong gust of wind from behind. The tail of the airplane lifted, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The right-wing lift strut and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
— Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2022_WPR22LA336.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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