- Date
- February 1, 2013, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place
- Murphysboro, IL
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N546ACessna 172
- Defining event
- Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 10, 2013
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20130201000679A
- Case key
- 86146
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The private pilot was attempting a soft field takeoff on a paved runway. He advanced the throttle to the full forward position and applied full back pressure on the flight controls to begin the takeoff roll. However, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot tried to counteract the veer by applying right rudder and when that was unsuccessful, elected to reject the takeoff. The airplane’s horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged when the airplane exited the runway and struck a frangible airport sign. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The private pilot was attempting a soft field takeoff on a paved runway. He advanced the throttle to the full forward position, applied full back pressure on the flight controls, and proceeded down the runway. The airplane veered to the left and the pilot attempted to counteract the veer by applying right rudder. The pilot then elected to reject the takeoff. He retarded the throttle and lowered the nose of the airplane. The airplane exited the runway and struck a frangible airport sign. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The forward spar of the horizontal stabilizer was bent aft during the accident sequence.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N546A
- Reported as
- Cessna 172 (R)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17281594
- Airframe hours
- 213
- Engine
- Lycoming O360, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Southern Illinois University
- Registered owner
- Southern Illinois University
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 11, 2012
- Departed
- MDH · Carbondale, IL
- Destination
- MDH · Carbondale, IL
- Airport
- MDH · Southern Illinois Airport, runway 18R, 3,498 × 60 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 27
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- April 25, 2012
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 167 total · 38 in this make and model · 66 as pilot in command · 21 in the last 90 days · 9 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 28 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.44 inHg
- Observed at
- kmdh
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 25, 2013, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.2 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.