# NTSB CEN13CA450: Cessna 172N, N738RQ, Mesquite, TX, July 31, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2013, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mesquite, TX
- Coordinates: 32.746944, -96.530281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7469&lon=-96.5303&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 October 21, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA450
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87637/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87637
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA450

## Probable cause

The student pilot failed to maintain directional control during the touch-and-go landing and during the subsequent aborted takeoff during crosswind conditions.

## 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)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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-rejected 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)

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that there was a mild crosswind on final approach. The crosswind "picked up" before the airplane touched down left of centerline. The pilot retracted the flaps and advanced the throttle to continue the touch-and-go. The airplane continued to drift to the left and the left main landing gear exited the runway onto the grass. The pilot closed the throttle and elected a straight path in the grass instead of risking an over-correction. The airplane came to a stop when the nose landing gear collapsed. The firewall sustained substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot stated that there was a mild crosswind on final approach. The crosswind "picked up" before the airplane touched down left of centerline. The pilot retracted the flaps and advanced the throttle to continue the touch-and-go. The airplane continued to drift to the left and the left main landing gear exited the runway onto the grass. The pilot closed the throttle and elected a straight path in the grass instead of risking an over-correction. The airplane came to a stop when the nose landing gear collapsed. The firewall sustained substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738RQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738RQ-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 17270181, built 1977 (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: 17270181
- Airframe hours: 9931
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Jlinn Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Jlinn Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2013
- Departed: HQZ, Mesquite, TX
- Destination: HQZ, Mesquite, TX
- Airport: HQZ, Mesquite Metro Airport, runway 17, 5,999 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 13 total, 13 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: HQZ

## 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 20130731025499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130731025499A), Jul 31, 2013: Cessna 172N, Mesquite, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off the side of runway 17 after landing. Traveled approximately ¼ mile in the grass until it struck a small ditch snapping the nose gear off and…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87637. 3.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399089&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.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.

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