# NTSB CEN12CA510: Cessna 172S, N462TR, Oshkosh, WI, August 1, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 1, 2012, 00:15 local (05:15 UTC) - Place: Oshkosh, WI - Coordinates: 43.984443, -88.556663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9844&lon=-88.5567&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 12, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO Milwaukee - NTSB case key (mKey): 84557 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA510 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84557/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84557 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA510 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a collision with a runway light. ## 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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was on final approach to land after the completion of a local night instructional flight. The flight instructor was to demonstrate the proper pitch attitude and sight picture needed for a landing at night. On short final, just before touchdown, the airplane drifted off of the runway centerline to the left. Upon touchdown the airplane was still moving toward the left side of the runway. The instructor stated that with the low energy state of the airplane there was not enough room to perform a go-around safely. The airplane then exited the runway as he applied flight control inputs to correct back to the centerline. Upon exiting the runway, the airplane impacted a runway light on the lower portion of the right wing strut attach point, resulting in structural damage to the strut. The instructor reported that the accident could have been prevented if positive control was maintained during the landing phase of the flight. ## Factual narrative The airplane was on final approach to land after the completion of a local night instructional flight. The flight instructor was to demonstrate the proper pitch attitude and sight picture needed for a landing at night. On short final, just before touchdown, the airplane drifted off of the runway center line to the left. Upon touchdown the airplane was still moving toward the left side of the runway. The instructor pilot stated that with the low energy state of the airplane there was not enough room to perform a go around safely. The airplane then exited the runway as flight control inputs were applied to correct back to centerline. Upon exiting the runway, the airplane impacted a runway light on the lower portion of the right wing strut attach point, resulting in structural damage to the strut. The instructor pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if positive control was maintained during the landing phase of the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N462TR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N462TR), registered now, S/N 172S9462, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9462 - Airframe hours: 3210 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Fox Valley Technical College - Registered owner: Christiansen Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 2012 - Departed: OSH, Oshkosh, WI - Destination: OSH, Oshkosh, WI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OSH, Wittman Regioanl Airport, runway 18, 8,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 31; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 744 total, 580 in this make and model, 692 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 30; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 46 total, 46 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: OSH ## 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 20120801016209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120801016209A), Aug 1, 2012: Cessna 172S, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was giving dual night instruction to [privacy data omitted]. While demonstrating a night landing, [privacy data omitted] stated he did… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84557. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383801&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.