# NTSB ATL98LA094: Cessna 172N, N739ZA, Olive Branch, MS, July 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1998, 07:55 local (12:55 UTC) - Place: Olive Branch, MS - Location: 34.9787° N, 89.7869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OLIVE BRANCH/TAYLOR FLD (OLV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9787&lon=-89.7869&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 4008 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4008/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA094 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. ## 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) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis According to the student pilot, on the eighth departure from runway 18, the plane began to drift to the left. He applied right rudder to correct but the airplane continued to drift to the left. According to the FAA, the student pilot was conducting his second supervised solo flight, when he departed the left side of runway 18 on takeoff, and substantially damaged the airplane after impacting a ditch and small trees. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1998, about 0755 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739ZA, collided with a ditch and trees during takeoff from the Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi. The local flight was operated by Douglas Aviation, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the instructional, solo flight. There were no injuries to the student pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight originated from the same airport about 0725. According to the pilot, he had completed 7 touch and go landings, the first three with the flight instructor, and the last four solo. On the eighth departure from runway 18, the airplane veered left and departed the runway. Recovery attempts by the student were unsuccessful. The nose wheel contacted a ditch and the airplane nosed over. According to the FAA, the student pilot was conducting his second supervised solo flight, when he departed the left side of runway 18 on takeoff, and substantially damaged the airplane after impacting a ditch and small trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739ZA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739ZA-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17270926, built 1978 (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: 17270926 - Airframe hours: 3397 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas Aviation, Inc - Registered owner: Wings Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1998, 10 hours before - Departed: OLV, MS - Airport: OLV, Olive Branch, runway 18, 6,000 × 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: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEN, 10 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 19980706015989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980706015989A), Jul 6, 1998: Cessna 172N, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. On July 6, 1998, about 0755 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739ZA, veered off the left side of the runway, hit a ditch and impacted small trees, while… ## Other investigations on N739ZA (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 MIA97LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA030), Nov 24, 1996: Cessna 172N (N739ZA), Olive Branch, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a ballooned/bounced landing. The gusty wind was a related factor. 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.