# NTSB CEN22LA358: Cessna 120, N2902N, Mecosta, MI, July 30, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 30, 2022, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Mecosta, MI - Coordinates: 43.630437, -85.261314 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6304&lon=-85.2613&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected 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 Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105656/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105656 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA358 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to depart on inadequate runway surface conditions that resulted in a loss of control after attempting to abort the takeoff, a runway excursion, and a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071402), [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 120, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 120, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2071402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after landing, he planned to make an immediate departure. During the takeoff roll, about halfway down the turf runway, the airplane traveled over “rough runway conditions” and bounced several times. The pilot assessed the situation and decided to abort the takeoff. Due to the rough surface and the constant bouncing of the airplane, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it departed the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, and the pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the left wing strut, and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2902N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2902N-2023-04-12), registration cancelled 2023-04-12, S/N 13163, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 120 (NO SERIES EXISTS) - Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13163 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 4448 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 2021 - Departed: 0C5, Stanwood, MI - Airport: 27C, Mecosta Morton, runway 03, 2,010 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,454.8 total, 150.2 in this make and model, 1,338.5 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 17.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KRQB, 12 nm away - METAR: KRQB 301435Z AUTO 24007KT 10SM CLR 24/15 A3020 RMK AO2 T02420152 ## 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 20220730013739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220730013739A), Jul 30, 2022: Cessna C120, Mecosta, MI, Substantial damage. On 07/30/2022 at approximately 1035, [privacy data omitted] a cesena C-120 aircraft, [privacy data omitted]operated by a private pilot, received substantial… ## Other investigations on N2902N (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 CHI82DA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA273), Jul 26, 1982: Cessna 120 (N2902N), Niles, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105656. 7.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14312625&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14312895&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.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.