# NTSB CEN13CA529: Cessna 172R, N368ES, Council Bluff, IA, September 4, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 4, 2013, 08:10 local (13:10 UTC) - Place: Council Bluff, IA - Coordinates: 41.259998, -95.758613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2600&lon=-95.7586&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 February 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87989 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA529 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87989/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87989 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA529 ## Probable cause The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff. ## 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 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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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 According to the student pilot, the wind was 130 degrees at 6 knots and he planned on departing runway 14. During the takeoff roll the airplane drifted right, the pilot corrected the drift by using the rudder pedals. The airplane then lifted off from the runway, yawed left, and settled back on the ground. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and went through a grass median before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage's firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, the wind was 130 degrees at 6 knots and he planned on departing runway 14. During the takeoff roll the airplane drifted right, the pilot corrected the drift by using the rudder pedals. The airplane then lifted off from the runway, yawed left, and settled back on the ground. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and went through a grass median before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage's firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N368ES](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N368ES), registered now, S/N 17280022, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280022 - Airframe hours: 5745 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Advanced Air Inc - Registered owner: Advanced Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 2013 - Departed: KCBF, Council Bluff, IA - Destination: KCBF, Council Bluff, IA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KCBF, Council Bluffs Municipal, runway 14, 3,650 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 38; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 22.2 total, 19.2 in this make and model, 0.4 as pilot in command, 22.2 in the last 90 days, 7.9 in the last 30 days, 0.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KCBF ## Other investigations on N368ES (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 CEN12CA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA213), Mar 24, 2012: Cessna 172R (N368ES), Council Bluffs, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87989. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401679&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot statement (item 2, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401681&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. --- 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.