- Date
- May 14, 2003, 23:25 local (May 15, 2003, 03:25 UTC)
- Place
- Bristol, TN
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N7412GCessna 172K
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report November 25, 2003
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Nashville FSDO
- FAA report
- 20030514015259A
- Case key
- 56988
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of the rudder controls during the takeoff roll resulting in a loss of directional control, and the on-ground collision with an embankment.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot said that on the takeoff roll the airplane reached 40 mph and then it veered to the left. He applied too much right rudder and then overcorrected with left rudder. The airplane departed the runway to the left into the grass, collided with an embankment, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the brake or flight control system.
Factual narrative
On May 14, 2003, at 2325 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N7412G, registered to Skycrafters Incorporated, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, veered to the left on takeoff roll at Tri Cities Airport, Bristol, Tennessee. The airplane departed the runway, collided with an embankment, and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Tri Cities Regional Airport, Bristol, Tennessee, on May 14, 2003, at 2325.
The pilot stated he had just completed a full stop landing to runway 23. The winds were calm. He completed the after landing check and before takeoff check while on the runway. He requested and received clearance for takeoff. The airplane reached about 40 mph and veered to the left. The pilot stated he applied too much right rudder and then overcorrected with left rudder. The airplane departed the runway to the left into the grass, collided with an embankment, and nosed over inverted. The tail section was crushed. The pilot stated the airplane did not have a mechanical failure before it veered to the left.
Examination of the airplane by an authorized FAA repair station revealed no anomalies with the brakes or flight control system. The left brake line was damaged during the impact sequence.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7412G
- Reported as
- Cessna 172K
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17259112
- Airframe hours
- 8,771
- Engine
- Lycoming IO320-E20, 150 hp, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Skycrafters Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · April 22, 2003 · 125 hours before
- Departed
- TRI · Bristol, TN
- Airport
- TRI · Tri-Cities Regional Airport, runway 23, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 51
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Last flight review
- October 1, 2001
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 620 total · 350 in this make and model · 520 as pilot in command · 1 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.93 inHg
- Observed at
- TRI
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.