# NTSB CEN24LA082: Cessna 172N, N3477E, Middleton, WI, January 4, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 4, 2024, 12:46 local (18:46 UTC)
- Place: Middleton, WI · Grassy area adjacent to the runway
- Coordinates: 43.114987, -89.533693 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1150&lon=-89.5337&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 January 14, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193612/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193612
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA082

## Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left of the runway centerline, and the solo student pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over in a marshy area, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder and right-wing lift strut. Postaccident examination did not reveal any anomaly with the airplane’s flight control systems or nosewheel steering. Tire abrasions noted on the runway were consistent with the left main landing gear tire and indicated a trajectory toward the left side of the runway. Although the left main landing gear wheel exhibited more resistance than the right wheel during hand rotation, and the left brake assembly anchor bolts showed corrosion and surface pitting, there was no evidence that the left brake had locked up. Further, the three evenly spaced linear tire impressions in the grass extending from the runway edge to the wreckage suggest that the wheels were rotating freely before the airplane nosed over. The student pilot’s loss of control, which could have resulted from an inadvertent application of the left brake during the takeoff roll, resulted in the runway excursion.

## Factual narrative

On January 4, 2024, about 1246 central standard time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N3477E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field (C29), Middleton, Wisconsin. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot departed C29 on a solo flight and transitioned to Sauk / Prairie Airport (91C), Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, where he performed a series of uneventful takeoffs and landings before returning to C29. After landing, the student taxied back to runway 28 and configured the airplane for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered to the left of the runway centerline, and the student pilot was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and nosed over in marshy area adjacent to the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the airplane’s rudder and right-wing lift strut were substantially damaged. During hand rotation of the main landing gear wheel assemblies, more resistance was noted to the left main landing gear wheel when compared to the right. Tire abrasions noted on the runway from the left main landing gear tire indicated a trajectory toward the left side of the runway. Additionally, three evenly spaced linear impressions were noted in the grass, extending from the runway edge to the wreckage. Further examination of the airplane’s hydraulic brake system revealed angular wear on the inboard brake pad of the left main landing gear brake assembly, while the outboard pad exhibited even wear. The left brake assembly anchor bolts showed signs of corrosion and surface pitting. The left brake disc displayed angular wear consistent with that of the inboard brake pad. No anomaly was noted with the nosewheel steering or flight control systems. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed the last 100-hour inspection was completed on December 19, 2023, and the airplane had accrued a total of 17,459.5 hours of service. During the inspection, the left main landing gear tire and one left brake pad were replaced. The airplane accrued 14.4 hours of service since the last 100-hour inspection that was completed 16 days before the accident. According to the airplane’s maintenance publications, the brake assembly anchor bolts should be free of corrosion or damage to their surface area to prevent binding with the pressure plate or torque plate.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3477E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3477E), registered now, S/N 17271563, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271563
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 17473.9
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Morey Airplane CO. Inc.
- Registered owner: Morey Airplane CO. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 19, 2023, 15.4 hours before
- Airport: C29, Middleton Municipal Airport, runway 28, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 93 total, 84 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 8 nm away
- METAR: KMSN 041853Z 20004KT 10SM OVC030 M02/M08 A3030 RMK AO2 SLP275 T10221083

## 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 20240104003709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240104003709A), Jan 4, 2024: Cessna 172N, Middleton, WI, Substantial damage. During the takeoff roll the pilot stated that just before rotation the aircraft pulled hard left and when he was unable to gain directional control the pilot…

## Other investigations on N3477E (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 CEN21LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA127), Feb 12, 2021: Cessna 172N (N3477E), Prairie du Sac, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the compacted snow conditions on the runway surface.

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193612. 11.1 MB in all.

- NTSB 6120 1 form (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19582825&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19583116&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Mor FAA examination summary (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19582745&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Examination-Rel.pdf
- C172 maintenance publication excerpts (item 4, PDF, 11 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19583465&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=C172%20Maintenance%20Excerpts-Rel.pdf
- Airframe logbook entry (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19583569&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20Logbook%20Entry_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- NTSB wreckage release form (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19583279&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Form_Redacted-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.

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