# NTSB CEN09CA002: Cessna 172, N5172J, Alton, IL, October 3, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 3, 2008, 13:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Alton, IL
- Coordinates: 38.890277, -90.046112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8903&lon=-90.0461&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-St Louis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA002

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the presence of the sign struck during the runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot and flight instructor had conducted four takeoffs and landings during a dual instructional flight prior to the accident flight. The flight instructor stated that the landings "went really well" and he elected to endorse the student pilot for solo flight. The student pilot subsequently took off on his initial solo flight and flew a normal traffic pattern. He noted that the airplane was established at 70 knots on final approach for runway 29 (8,098 feet by 150 feet, dry asphalt). The airplane touched down on centerline; however, after landing it began to drift to the left and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement and struck a runway sign before coming to rest. A post accident inspection revealed that the firewall had been damaged. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. Winds were from 270 degrees at 10 knots at the time of the accident, according to the pilot.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot and flight instructor had conducted four takeoffs and landings during a dual instructional flight prior to the accident flight. The flight instructor stated that the landings "went really well" and he elected to endorse the student pilot for solo flight. The student pilot subsequently took off on his initial solo flight and flew a normal traffic pattern. He noted that the airplane was established at 70 knots on final approach for runway 29 (8,098 feet by 150 feet, dry asphalt). The airplane touched down on centerline; however, after landing it began to drift to the left and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement and struck a runway sign before coming to rest. A post accident inspection revealed that the firewall had been damaged. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. Winds were from 270 degrees at 10 knots at the time of the accident, according to the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5172J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5172J-2018-02-26), registration cancelled 2018-02-26, S/N 17281095, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (R)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17281095
- Airframe hours: 3990
- Engines: LYCOMING IO360 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Langa Air Services
- Registered owner: Daw-Air LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 2008
- Departed: ALN, Alton, IL
- Destination: ALN, Alton, IL
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: ALN, St Louis Regional, runway 29, 8,098 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 22; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: ALN

## 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 20081003847959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081003847959A), Oct 3, 2008: Cessna 172R, Alton/St Louis, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot is flying his first solo flight. On landing the aircraft departs the left side of the runway and impacts a taxiway sign. Skid mark from 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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