# NTSB ATL03LA005: Cessna 172, N903WA, Opa Locka, FL, October 17, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 17, 2002, 16:34 local (20:34 UTC) - Place: Opa Locka, FL - Coordinates: 25.95, -80.416664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9500&lon=-80.4167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Miama FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55912 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA005 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55912/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA005 ## Probable cause The pilot' inadequate evaluation of weather information, and the selection of the wrong runway that resulted in an attempted takeoff with a tailwind and the subsequent loss of control during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - runway light ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI), who was flying the airplane, and the student pilot were conducting touch-and-go landings to runway 27. They had completed three touch-and-go procedures and were on the fourth takeoff when an updraft lifted the airplane off the runway. The student pilot reported that the airplane ballooned into the air and came down "hard" on to the runway. The airplane also collided with a runway light and the right wing tip was also damaged. The CFI did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The nearest weather reporting facility, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reported prevailing winds from 050 degrees at 14 knots at the time of the accident. The CFI obtained weather information from Opa Locka Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS) ## Factual narrative On October 17 at 1634 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N903WA, registered to and operated by Wayman Aviation Services Inc., collided with the ground during a training flight at the Opa Locka Airport in Opa Locka, Florida. The instructional flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. The flight departed time from Opa Locka, Florida, at 1610, on October 17, 2002. According to the CFI, who was flying the airplane, they were conducting touch-and-go landings to runway 27. They had completed three touch-and-go procedures and were on the fourth takeoff when an updraft lifted the airplane off the runway. The student pilot reported that the airplane ballooned into the air and came down "hard" on to the runway. The airplane also collided with a runway light and the right wing tip was also damaged. The CFI did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The nearest weather reporting facility, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reported the prevailing winds from 050 degrees at 14 knots at the time of the accident. The CFI obtained weather information from Opa Locka Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS) before the first takeoff. the directional control was lost and the airplane collided with the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N903WA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N903WA-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 17261334, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-61334 - Airframe hours: 7373 - Engines: Avco Lycoming O-320-HZAD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wayman Aviation Services Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 2002, 28 hours before - Departed: OPF, Opa Locka, FL - Airport: OPF, Opalocka, runway 27, 4,306 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 7, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 580 total, 517 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: FLL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20021017027759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021017027759A), Oct 17, 2002: Cessna 172M, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor bounced on landing, losing control of aircraft resulting in stall, aircraft came down hard, breaking off nose gear and slewing around damaging… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.