# NTSB ATL06CA075: Cessna C172S, N613SP, Muscle Shoals, AL, May 6, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2006, 19:00 local (May 6, 2006, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Muscle Shoals, AL - Coordinates: 34.688056, -87.651664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6881&lon=-87.6517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63668 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63668/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA075 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff roll. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis According to the student pilot, during his second solo takeoff, he applied full power and just before the airplane started to rotate it made an abrupt hard turn to the left. The student pilot stated that he applied right rudder but it had no effect. He then reduced power to idle while attempting to steer the airplane away from any obstacles. The airplane struck a runway sign, crossed a taxiway, and came to rest behind a row of hangars. Examination of the airplane by an A&P Mechanic found no mechanical problems during the post-accident examination. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2006, at 1900 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N613SP, registered to Northwest Alabama Regional Airport Authority, and operated by an individual as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, went off the side of runway 36 during the takeoff roll at the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local training flight. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the student pilot, he had "just completed the first of three takeoffs and landings during my solo flight from runway 36". He stated that "after his first takeoff and landing, which occurred without incident, I proceeded to taxi to runway 36 for my second takeoff and landing. I announced my intentions and taxied onto the runway centerline and applied full power. Just before the aircraft started to rotate off the ground, it made a abrupt hard turn to the left. I applied right rudder to try and straighten the aircraft and keep it on the runway but this had no effect. I then reduced power to an idle while trying to control the aircraft and steer it away from any obstacles. The aircraft struck one of the runway signs, which apparently slowed it down some and proceeded across at least one taxiway and finally coming to rest behind a row of hangers." Damage consisted of the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, left elevator, left main gear, and the nose gear. Examination of the airplane by an A&P mechanic revealed that the "nose wheel steering rods and shimmy dampener appeared to function correctly. The nose wheel steering is centered when the rudder pedals are centered." Examination of all three tires found them free to rotate and undamaged "with no flat spots. The brakes are functional and have no tendency to seize up." According to the mechanic, "upon raising the aircraft up to its normal ground attitude the nose strut returned to its proper position. All tire pressures appear to be nominal'" and "the nose wheel centering on nose strut extension operates correctly". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N613SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N613SP), registered now, S/N 172S8597, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna C172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8597 - Airframe hours: 1469 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2006, 84 hours before - Departed: MSL, Muscle Shoals, AL - Destination: MSL, Muscle Shoals, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 48; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MSL ## 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 20060505008709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060505008709A), May 5, 2006: Cessna 172S, Muscle Shoals, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot's first solo flight. First take off pattern and landing with no problems. The pilot taxied back for another takeoff. On takeoff roll the… ## Other investigations on N613SP (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD03CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03CA044), Mar 27, 2003: Cessna 172S (N613SP), Cleveland, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. 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.