Cessna 172M accident near Henderson, Nevada, April 26, 1998
On April 26, 1998 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N64006, was substantially damaged in an accident near Henderson, Nevada (Henderson airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent failure to maintain proper runway alignment.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 1998 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Henderson, Nevada · Henderson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N64006 · no longer on the register · serial 17264954
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On final approach to the airport the tower reported the winds to be variable from 330 degrees to 350 degrees at 24 knots gusting to 36 knots. The pilot setup for a left crosswind landing on runway 36. After touchdown the aircraft went left of centerline, the pilot relaxed left aileron input and increased right rudder input to return to the centerline. The pilot stated that the left wing of the aircraft made an abrupt upward movement and the aircraft veered to the right. He attempted to go-around, but aborted the attempt due to decreased airspeed and location of the aircraft on the runway. The aircraft struck rocks on the right side and came to rest inverted. According to Cessna Aircraft, the maximum factory demonstrated crosswind component capability is 15 knots, which was achieved in certification flight testing.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,090 hours in all; 68 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,145 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 13, 1998; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFZ Mesa AZ at 4:30 pm
- Destination: L15
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 36, 5,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 25 knots, gusting 36
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:30 pm from L15
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N64006 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.