# NTSB CEN13CA074: Cessna 172N, N4811G, Poplar Grove, IL, November 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2012, 12:10 local (18:10 UTC) - Place: Poplar Grove, IL - Coordinates: 42.322331, -88.843639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3223&lon=-88.8436&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 85676 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85676/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA074 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. ## 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) ## 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 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) - [Landing-landing roll: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 12. During the landing roll after the third landing, the airplane started to drift to the right and the pilot corrected with rudder. The airplane departed the runway to the right and struck a ditch. During the impact, the left wing struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was practicing takeoff and landings on runway 12. During the landing roll, the airplane started to drift to the right and the pilot corrected with rudder. The airplane departed the runway to the right and struck a ditch. During the impact the nose landing gear assembly and propeller were bent. The left wing struck the ground resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4811G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4811G), registered now, S/N 17273359, built 1979 (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: 17273359 - Airframe hours: 6673 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2012 - Departed: C77, Poplar Grove, IL - Destination: C77, Poplar Grove, IL - Airport: C77, Poplar Grove Airport, runway 12, 3,773 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 3 in this make and model, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: KRFD, 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 20121118025139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121118025139A), Nov 18, 2012: Cessna 172N, Poplar Grove, IL, Substantial damage. PIC of N4811G was conducting touch and go crosswind landings in the pattern at C77. On his third landing, he stated the aircraft began veering to the right… ## Other investigations on N4811G (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 DEN07CA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA043), Dec 24, 2006: Cessna 172N (N4811G), Cottonwood Fall, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to properly identify the runway environment, and the improper in-flight decision to… 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.