# NTSB ATL98LA072: Cessna 172P, N54743, Key West, FL, May 3, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1998, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550857, -81.779655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5509&lon=-81.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA072

## Probable cause

failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.  The student pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane was a related factor.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

According to the student pilot, while practicing touch-and-go landings, he landed long, and the airplane departed the left side of runway 27 at the 2000 foot marker. The student pilot stated that he had accumulated 3.7 hours of flight time in a Cessna 172.

## Factual narrative

On May 3, 1998, about 1400 eastern daylight time a Cessna 172P, N54743, collided with rough terrain during a touch and go landing at the Key West Airport, Key West, Florida.  The airplane was operated by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight.  The student pilot and sole occupant was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight had originated about 10 minutes prior to the accident.

According to the student pilot, while practicing touch and go landings, he landed long and departed the left side of runway 09 at the 2000 foot marker, and encountered rough terrain, substantially damaging the airplane. The student pilot stated that he had accumulated 25 hours total time, and  3.7 hours in a Cessna 172. According to the FAA inspector, the student pilot had not received sufficient training in the 172.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54743](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54743-2009-07-06), registration cancelled 2009-07-06, S/N 17275046, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172P
- 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: 17275046
- Airframe hours: 9768
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Island City Flying Service, In
- Registered owner: Island City Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1998, 97 hours before
- Departed: EYW
- Airport: EYW, Key West International, runway 9, 4,800 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 4 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW

## 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 19980503008329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980503008329A), May 3, 1998: Cessna 172P, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. Landed long and overran runway into rough terrain. (.4) according to the student pilot, while practicing touch-and-go landings, he landed long, and 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.

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