# NTSB CHI00LA065: Cessna 172, N738EJ, Chesterfield, MO, February 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 5, 2000, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, MO - Coordinates: 38.650787, -90.530189 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6508&lon=-90.5302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48620 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48620/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA065 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain directional control during the takeoff portion of a touch and go landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it veered off the left side of the runway when takeoff power was applied after a touch and go landing. The pilot reported that after the landing she prepared for takeoff. She recalled, '... an instantaneous thought of 'that (the plane) feels odd,' and then I was immediately and rapidly veering left.' She reported the airplane veered off the runway and into the grass. She aborted the takeoff. She reported the airplane crossed a taxiway before stopping in the grass. ## Factual narrative On February 5, 2000, at 0945 central standard time, a Cessna 172, N738EJ, was substantially damaged when it veered off the left side of the runway when takeoff power was applied after a touch and go landing. The private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was doing touch and goes at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, Missouri, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that after the landing she prepared for takeoff. She recalled, "...an instantaneous thought of 'that (the plane) feels odd,' and then I was immediately and rapidly veering left." She reported the veered off the runway and into the grass. She aborted the takeoff. She reported the airplane crossed a taxiway before stopping in the grass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738EJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738EJ-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N 17269917, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - 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: 17269917 - Airframe hours: 4651 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skyline Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1999, 68 hours before - Departed: SUS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St. Louis, runway 26R, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 192 total, 9 in this make and model, 79 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SUS ## 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 20000205011769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000205011769A), Feb 5, 2000: Cessna 172N, St Louis, MO, No damage. (-23) While executing a touch and go manuever the pilot lost control of a/c during acceleration on takeoff. A/d departed the runway with takeoff power applied… ## Other investigations on N738EJ (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 CHI04CA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA067), Feb 7, 2004: Cessna 172N (N738EJ), Cahokia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor which lead to the student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snowbank during the landing. The snowbank was a factor. 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.