Cessna 172N N733BT

Summary

On 5 May 2021 at about 22:30 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N733BT, operated by Northern Air Inc., was involved in an accident near Lewiston, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 May 2021 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lewiston, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Lewiston-Nez Perce County (LWS)

Coordinates

46.3803, -117.0202

Aircraft

Cessna 172N

Registration

N733BT

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Northern Air Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA192

Nobody was injured.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.