# NTSB CEN10CA158: Cessna 172M, N1472U, Waupaca, WI, March 15, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 15, 2010, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Waupaca, WI - Coordinates: 44.333057, -89.019721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3331&lon=-89.0197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75496 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75496/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75496 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA158 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off in gusting winds. ## 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 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he rotated about 60 knots to a nose-up attitude during takeoff. He said that the left wing raised “abruptly” due to a wind gust and that he overcorrected with left aileron and “set the plane back down on the runway.” The airplane was then heading for the edge of the runway and the pilot reduced the airplane throttle. The airplane exited the runway, including its safety area, and nosed over in a plowed field. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident flight. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that he rotated about 60 knots to a nose up attitude during takeoff. He said that the left wing raised “abruptly” due to a wind gust. He stated that he over corrected with left aileron and “set the plane back down on the runway.” The airplane was then heading for the edge of the runway and the pilot reduced the airplane throttle. The airplane exited the runway, its safety area, and nosed over in a plowed field. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1472U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1472U), registered now, S/N 17267139 (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: 17267139 - Airframe hours: 7762.4 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Riverside Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Riverside Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 2009 - Departed: PCZ, Waupaca, WI - Destination: PCZ, Waupaca, WI - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: PCZ, Waupaca Municipal Airport, runway 10, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: PCZ, 1 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 20100315029479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100315029479A), Mar 15, 2010: Cessna 172M, Waupaca, WI, Substantial damage. Student pilot was performing touch and go landings. Pilot stated that on second takeoff left wing raised. He stated he overcorrected and the aircraft swerved… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75496. 743 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 743 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.