# NTSB CEN23LA179: Textron 172S, N34BL, Englewood, CO, May 6, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 6, 2023, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Englewood, CO · Airport taxiway - Coordinates: 39.571705, -104.84124 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5717&lon=-104.8412&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 122574 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/122574/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to adjust his seat during taxi, which resulted in his seat sliding aft, and subsequent loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Textron 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2072449), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he attempted to adjust his seat while taxing the airplane. The seat slid aft, and he was unable to reach the rudder pedals. The airplane traversed across a taxiway, impacted a swale, then continued onto a runway before the pilot was able to regain control. The airplane’s rudder and lower aft fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34BL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34BL), registered now, S/N 172S12468, built 2020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: TEXTRON AVIATION INC 172S - Registry model: [Textron 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/textron-172s) (registry code 2072449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S12468 - Year built: 2020 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: American Asset Leasing LLC - Registered owner: American Asset Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KAPA, Englewood, CO - Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 10/28, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 343 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KAPA, 1 nm away - METAR: KAPA 061553Z 36009KT 10SM FEW080 FEW120 14/M03 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP109 T01441033 ## 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 20230506005349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230506005349A), May 6, 2023: Textron Aviation Inc 172S, Centennial, CO, Substantial damage. On may 6, 2023 at 1526 local time at kapa airport, [privacy data omitted], a Cessna 172, departed taxiway c while taxiing to the aircraft runup area, resulting… 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.