# NTSB ATL04CA131: Cessna 172, N98981, Meridianville, AL, June 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 13, 2004, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Meridianville, AL - Coordinates: 34.861389, -86.55722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8614&lon=-86.5572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59636 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59636/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff, which resulted in the on ground collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane touched down smoothly. He stated that when he advanced the throttle to takeoff, the airplane began to turn left, and he responded by depressing the right rudder. The pilot stated that the airplane began to "fish-tail." The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into the grass, and the nose wheel assembly was torn from the airframe. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose gear separated from the fuselage, the lower firewall was cracked, and the propeller was bent on one side. The pilot stated that "he should have exercised better directional control on takeoff". The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 2004, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N98981, owned by a private owner and operated by Executive Flight Center, Inc. , veered off runway 18 at Madison County Airport (MDQ), Meridianville, Alabama. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed MDQ on June 13, 2004, at 0920. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice touch and go's in the traffic pattern. He stated that on his second landing of the day, the airplane touched down smoothly. He stated that when he advanced the throttle to take off, the airplane began to turn left, and he responded by adding right rudder. The pilot stated that the airplane began to "fish-tail," and he believes that he either "over compensated or under compensated with the rudder". The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into the grass, collided with a ditch, and the nose wheel assembly was torn from the airframe. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose gear separated from the fuselage, the lower firewall was cracked, and the propeller was bent on one side. The pilot stated that "he should have exercised better directional control on takeoff". The pilot reported no mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98981](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98981), registered now, S/N 17276390, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276390 - Airframe hours: 1602.5 - Engines: Lycoming O 320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Executive Flight Center - Registered owner: Harold McMurran - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 12, 2004, 2.7 hours before - Departed: KMDQ, Meridianville, AL - Destination: KMDQ, Meridianville, AL - Airport: KMDQ, Madison County Executive, runway 18, 5,008 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 10, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 68 total, 9 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: kmdq ## 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 20040613010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040613010279A), Jun 13, 2004: Cessna 172P, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 13, 2004, about 1030 CST, a Cessna 172P, N98981, crashed while landing. The pilot was performing a touch-and-go landing and lost control of the… 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.