# NTSB CEN11CA271: Cessna 172N, N73836, Appleton, WI, March 31, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 31, 2011, 15:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: Appleton, WI - Coordinates: 44.258056, -88.51889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2581&lon=-88.5189&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 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78786 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78786/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78786 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA271 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during 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) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/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 stated that he performed a short field takeoff. He said he accelerated the airplane to about 58 knots indicated airspeed and the airplane veered left. He reduced the power and applied right rudder to keep the airplane on the runway, but the airplane exited the runway and cartwheeled on its nose. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He said that he may have inadvertently applied left toe brake during the takeoff. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was performing a short field takeoff. He accelerated the airplane to 57 to 58 knots indicated airspeed and the airplane veered left. He "cut" the power and applied right rudder to keep the airplane on the runway. The airplane exited the runway and cartwheeled on its nose. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the accident flight. He indicated that he may have inadvertently applied left toe brake during the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73836](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73836-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 17267710, built 1976 (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: 17267710 - Airframe hours: 7451 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tailwind Flight Academy - Registered owner: Heil Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2011 - Departed: ATW, Appleton, WI - Destination: ATW, Appleton, WI - Airport: ATW, Outagamie County Regional Arpt, runway 30, 6,501 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 47 total, 41 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: ATW ## 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 20110331005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110331005829A), Mar 31, 2011: Cessna 172N, Appleton, WI, Substantial damage. Flight was a supervised solo. On the first takeoff, at rotation, the aircraft turned left, departed the runway, the nosewheel dug into the dirt and the… ## Other investigations on N73836 (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 CHI77FEI19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEI19), Apr 27, 1977: Cessna 172 (N73836), Ashtabula, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78786. 748 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 748 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346823&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.