# NTSB ATL95LA041: Cessna 172N, N739RN, Meridianville, AL, January 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1995, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Meridianville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.869537, -86.569038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8695&lon=-86.5690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA041

## Probable cause

The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS EXECUTING A PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDING. HE STATED THAT AFTER A SMOOTH LANDING, HE ADDED POWER TO GO AROUND FOR ANOTHER LANDING. AFTER ADDING POWER, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT LEFT TURN PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH EMBANKMENT, AND THEN NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On January 16, 1995, at 1600 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739RN, collided with a ditch following a loss of directional control while landing at the Huntsville Airport North, in Meridianville, Alabama. The student pilot had minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by Cowell Aviation, Inc. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, solo-instructional flight. The flight originated at 1545.

The student pilot was performing his initial solo flight. He entered the traffic pattern to practice touch and go landings. During the first landing, he lost directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft veered off the left side of the runway, and collided with a ditch. The aircraft then flipped over, resulting in structural damage to the airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739RN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739RN), registered now, S/N 17270746 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-70746
- Airframe hours: 3081
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cowell Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 7, 1994
- Departed: M82
- Destination: M82, AL
- Airport: M82, Madison County Executive, runway 36, 3,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 23 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 25 nm away

## 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 19950116000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950116000479A), Jan 16, 1995: Cessna 172N, Meridianville, AL, Substantial damage. On first solo landing lost directional control. Veered off runway into a ditch and nosed over.

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.

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