# NTSB CEN20CA205: Cessna 172, N52794, Lakeview, AR, May 31, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2020, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Lakeview, AR - Coordinates: 36.348609, -92.556945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3486&lon=-92.5569&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101360 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101360/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101360 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA205 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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) ## 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-rejected 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 The pilot was attempting to take off on a turf runway that had a few muddy spots. He added power to the engine and back pressure on the flight control yoke to "protect the nose wheel." As the airplane accelerated, he applied right rudder to keep the airplane centered on the runway. The airplane was not turning as it should and had not lifted off, so he closed the throttle to reject the takeoff. The airplane struck trees on the left side of the runway and spun sideways into some additional smaller trees and bushes. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52794](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52794), registered now, S/N 172S9211, built 2002 (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: 172S9211 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 4002 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2019 - Departed: 3MO, Lakeview, AR - Destination: DEC, Decatur, IL - Airport: 3M0, Gastons, runway 06, 3,200 × 55 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 31, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 155 total, 23 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: BPK, 4 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 20200531011469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200531011469A), May 31, 2020: Cessna 172S, Lakeview, AR, Substantial damage. On may 31, 2020 the little rock FSDO received notification via phone from the regional operations center that the pilot of N52794, a Cessna 172S, at 3M0 at… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101360. 14.1 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120,1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 13.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120,1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Master.PDF - Witness' Statements (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%27%20Statements-Master.PDF - Accident Report Photographs (item 3, .PDF, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484969&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photographs-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.