Cessna 172H accident near Cheyenne, Wyoming, December 31, 1993
On December 31, 1993 at about 5:19 pm local time, a Cessna 172H, registered N3734F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cheyenne, Wyoming (Cheyenne Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH WINDS, GUSTS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE OPERATING IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 31, 1993 · about 5:19 pm local time
- Place
- Cheyenne, Wyoming · Cheyenne Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172H · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N3734F · no longer on the register · serial 17255229
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT, WHO HAD PLANNED TO DO PRACTICE MANUEVERS IN THE AREA OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, DECIDED TO LAND AT A DIFFERENT AIRPORT IN ORDER TO USE THE REST ROOM. AT THE TIME OF HIS LANDING, THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE GUSTING UP TO 50 KNOTS, AND AS HE TURNED OFF THE RUNWAY THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLIPPED OVER BY A GUST OF WIND.
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: student
- Flight time: 44 hours in all; 44 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 16 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 31, 1993; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 82V Pine Bluffs WY at 4:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 9,200 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 36 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 12°F (-11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:22 pm from CYS
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.