# NTSB CEN13CA151: Cessna 172, N546A, Murphysboro, IL, February 1, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 1, 2013, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Murphysboro, IL - Coordinates: 37.778057, -89.251945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7781&lon=-89.2519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86146 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86146/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86146 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA151 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [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 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N546A), registered now, S/N 17281594, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (R) - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17281594 - Airframe hours: 213 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; 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 ## 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 20130201000679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130201000679A), Feb 1, 2013: Cessna 172R, Murphysborro, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft departing rwy 18R, went off left side of runway not yet airborne, struck directional sign and did substantial damage to right stabilizer ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86146. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 943 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20Pilot-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.