# NTSB BFO94LA042: Cessna 172M, N9101H, Ravenna, OH, February 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1994, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Ravenna, OH
- Coordinates: 41.150344, -81.240493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1503&lon=-81.2405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA042

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF LEADING TO A COLLISION WITH A SNOW BANK WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank
  - weather condition - crosswind
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FLEW TO THE AIRPORT TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS.  HE STATED THAT HE COMPLETED THE LANDING SUCCESSFULLY, AND AS HE ADDED POWER TO TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 27 THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT.  HE STATED THAT HE REDUCED THE POWER AND TRIED TO RE-ALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE CENTERLINE, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO VEER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A SNOWBANK BEFORE IT NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  THE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 170 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS.

## Factual narrative

On Friday, February 18, 1994, at 1350 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N9101H, collided with a snowbank and nosed over during takeoff at Portage County Airport, Ravenna, Ohio.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91 and had originated in Cleveland, Ohio.

The pilot reported that he flew to Ravenna to practice touch and go landings.  He stated that he completed his first landing successfully, and as he added power to takeoff the airplane veered to the left.  He stated that he reduced the power and tried to re-align the airplane with the centerline, but he was unsuccessful.  The airplane continued to veer to the left striking a snowbank before it nosed over.  The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction.  The winds at the time of the accident were 170 degrees at 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9101H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9101H-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 17265945, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265945
- Airframe hours: 1169
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pro Flight Inc.
- Registered owner: Hotel Charlie Of Delaware Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1993, 18 hours before
- Departed: BKL, CLEVELAND, OH
- Airport: 29G, Portage County, runway 27, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 87 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 17 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 19940218002729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940218002729A), Feb 18, 1994: Cessna 172M, Ravenna, OH, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during touch and go in excessive crosswind. Veered off runway. Struck snowbank. 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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