# NTSB CEN20CA128: Cessna 172, N1132W, Denver, CO, March 18, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 18, 2020, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Denver, CO - Coordinates: 39.908889, -105.117225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9089&lon=-105.1172&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 June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101096/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101096 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect right rudder application during a touch-and go-landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and a collision with a runway sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, she was preparing to take off for a second touch-and-go landing and retracted the flaps and added engine power. The airplane veered left, and the pilot retarded the throttle and applied right rudder. The pilot affirmed that she "didn't supply adequate rudder," and the airplane exited the left side of the runway and impacted a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower left fuselage longeron. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the first touch and go landing of the day, she landed on the runway with 30° of flaps. She prepared to take off again and retracted the flaps and added engine power. The airplane veered to the left and the pilot retarded the throttle and applied right rudder. The pilot affirmed that she "didn't supply adequate rudder," and the airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with the runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower left fuselage longeron. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1132W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1132W), registered now, S/N 172S10125, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10125 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 5919.2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: C Flying K Aviation Llc - Registered owner: C Flying K Aviation Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2020 - Departed: BJC, Denver, CO - Destination: BJC, Denver, CO - Airport: BJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan, runway 12R, 7,002 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 106 total, 104.4 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 16.2 in the last 90 days, 1.7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KBJC, 1 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 20200318000489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200318000489A), Mar 18, 2020: Cessna 172S, Denver, CO, Minor damage. Pilot was performing touch and go. Landed with 30 degrees flaps. Retracted flaps. Applied power. Aircraft began to turn to the left. Reduced power. Applied RH… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101096. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.