N7882X

On March 31, 1999, at 1015 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172B, N7882X, was blown over by high winds while turning from runway 22 to a parallel taxiway at the Winslow, Arizona, airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included peak wind gusts of 75 knots, which were recorded shortly after the accident. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The personal cross-country flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and originated at the Double Eagle Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the day of the accident at 0730 as a planned flight to Winslow.

The pilot did not make a verbal or written statement to the Safety Board and did not respond to repeated requests for the completion of a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, there is no record that the pilot requested or received a preflight weather briefing either through the AFSS system, Contel, or DUATS.

A telephone inquiry with the FBO Aerowest at the Double Eagle Airport disclosed that a computer is available for pilots to use to obtain weather information. Individual station METARS can be viewed and printed, or, the pilot can log onto the system for a full weather briefing. Retrieving individual station reports does not require the use of a name or pilot certificate number.

A review of FAA records disclosed that the pilot had an in-flight radio contact with Prescott AFSS while en route. The Safety Board obtained a certified re-recording of the exchange. In the contact at 1001, the pilot first inquired only about the CTAF frequency for the Winslow airport. The briefer then advised the pilot of the forecast for strong surface winds over the entire area and provided the 0956 Winslow METAR, which was reporting surface winds from 230 degrees at 40 knots with gusts to 50 knots. Review of the METAR reports showed that peak wind gusts of 63 knots occurred within an hour after the accident.

According to engineering data provided by Cessna Aircraft, the maximum demonstrated crosswind capability of the aircraft is 17 knots.