# NTSB CEN23LA122: Cessna 172S, N208SP, Princeton, MN, February 25, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 25, 2023, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Princeton, MN - Coordinates: 45.56005, -93.608366 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5600&lon=-93.6084&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106790/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106790 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA122 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident, was the runway condition combined with a right crosswind. ## 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 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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072439), [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-rejected 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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff the airplane “started to slide to the left on the ice” on the snow and ice-covered runway. The pilot chose to abort the takeoff. During the abort, the airplane kept “pulling to the left” and impacted the terrain between the runway and taxiway. Upon impact, the airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and wing struts. At the time of the accident, the pilot was taking off with a 40° right crosswind at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N208SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N208SP-2026-09-23), registration cancelled 2026-09-23, S/N 172S8208, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8208 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 10851 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Twin Cities Flight Training, Inc - Registered owner: 208sp LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 2023 - Destination: KANE, Blaine, MN - Airport: PNM, Princeton Municipal Airport, runway 16, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 30, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 103 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KPNM - METAR: METAR KPNM 252055Z AUTO 20008KT 10SM CLR M06/M12 A2996 RMK AO2 TSNO= ## 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 20230225004529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230225004529A), Feb 25, 2023: Cessna 172S, Princeton, MN, Substantial damage. 02/25/2023 [privacy data omitted] Cessna 172 flipped upside down during aborted takeoff at Princeton Municipal Airport (pnm). During takeoff from Princeton… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106790. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15168272&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 875 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15168282&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.