Cessna 172A accident near Grand Junction, Colorado, October 3, 1997
On October 3, 1997, a Cessna 172A, registered N7692T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Junction, Colorado (Walker Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Encounter with high gusting winds while standing with the engine running
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 3, 1997
- Place
- Grand Junction, Colorado · Walker Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172A · all 172As on the register
- Registration
- N7692T · no longer on the register · serial 47292
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While holding in position for takeoff, the aircraft was struck by a wind gust which caused it to nose over. Nearly all upper surfaces on the aircraft sustained buckling and wrinkling damage as a result. Recorded wind at the time was from 240 degrees magnetic heading at 39 knots with gusts to 43 knots and a rain cell was passing approximately 4 miles south of the airport. There are no published aircraft operating restrictions regarding crosswind operations for this year and model aircraft. The manufacturer does provide suggested techniques for taxi and takeoff in high wind and cross wind conditions. The aircraft heading was 290 degrees at the time of the occurrence.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,012 hours in all; 945 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 859 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,255 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 1996; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-320C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GJT
- Destination: MTJ Montrose CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 10,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 39 knots, gusting 43
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.