# NTSB CEN11CA184: Cessna 172N, N733TM, Poplar Grove, IL, February 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 12, 2011, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Poplar Grove, IL - Coordinates: 42.195278, -89.097221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1953&lon=-89.0972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78346 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78346/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78346 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA184 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff. ## 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 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported he was performing a takeoff when he lost directional control due to over correction and misuse of the brake/rudder. The airplane exited the runway, impacted deep snow, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial wing and rudder damage. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported he was performing a takeoff and that he lost directional control "due to over correction and misuse of the brake/rudder." The airplane exited the runway, impacted deep snow, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial wing and rudder damage when it nosed over. The student pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733TM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733TM-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 17268536, built 1977 (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: 17268536 - Airframe hours: 13444.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Poplar Grove Airmotive Inc - Registered owner: Poplar Grove Airmotive Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 11, 2011 - Departed: C77, Poplar Grove, IL - Destination: C77, Poplar Grove, IL - Airport: C77, Poplar Grove Airport, runway 30, 3,773 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: RFD, 14 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 20110212002089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110212002089A), Feb 12, 2011: Cessna 172N, Poplar Grove, IL, Substantial damage. Student pilot of N733TM was on his first solo flight. While departing rny 30 at C77, the student began his takeoff roll. The student experienced a loss of… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78346. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.