# NTSB CHI02LA053: Cessna 172L, N4303Q, Reedsburg, WI, December 9, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 2001, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Reedsburg, WI - Location: 43.5259° N, 89.9832° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at REEDSBURG MUNI (C35), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5259&lon=-89.9832&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53916 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53916/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53916 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA053 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently released the seat adjustment mechanism which resulted in the seat sliding back during takeoff, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the runway light control box, which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - fuselage,seat - unlatched - equipment,other - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - airport facility (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane collided with a runway end identifier light control box following a loss of control on takeoff. The pilot reported that his seat slid back on takeoff and because the nose of the airplane was high, his forward visibility was limited. The pilot reported he felt a couple of "bumps". He then was able to slide the seat forward and abort the takeoff. The pilot reported that he taxied back to the runway and departed for Kenosha. He reported the airplane seemed to lack power during the flight. The pilot reported that he was trying to attach a hand held GPS unit to his leg with a cable when the seat slid back. He reported that the cable most likely became attached to the seat adjustment lever and this resulted in the lever being moved, and the seat sliding back. Damage to the airplane included buckling and puncture damage to the lower fuselage, engine cowling, and left horizontal stabilizer, firewall damage, the tip of one propeller was missing and the other propeller tip was damaged, and a section of the exhaust system was crushed. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 2001, at 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 172L, N4303Q, operated by a private pilot, collided with a runway end identifier light control box following a loss of control on takeoff. The takeoff was being made on runway 18 (4,840 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) at the Reedsburg Municipal Airport, Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that his seat slid back on takeoff and because the nose of the airplane was high, his forward visibility was limited. The pilot reported he felt a couple of "bumps". He then was able to slide the seat forward and abort the takeoff. The pilot reported that he taxied back to the runway and departed for Kenosha. He reported the airplane seemed to lack power during the flight. He was unaware of the damage to the airplane until he landed. The pilot reported that he was trying to attach a hand held GPS unit to his leg with a cable when the seat slid back. He reported that the cable most likely became attached to the seat adjustment lever and this resulted in the lever being moved, and the seat sliding back. Damage to the airplane included buckling and puncture damage to the lower fuselage, engine cowling, and left horizontal stabilizer, firewall damage, the tip of one propeller was missing and the other propeller tip was damaged, and a section of the exhaust system was crushed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4303Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4303Q), registered now, S/N 17260203, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1720203 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Burton H. Kleinman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: C35, Reedsburg, WI - Destination: Unknown - Airport: C35, Reedsburg Municipal, runway 18, 4,840 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 7, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total, 355 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: LNR, 25 nm away ## 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 20011209036909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011209036909A), Dec 9, 2001: Cessna 172L, Reedsburg, WI, No damage. (.19) On December 9, 2001, at 1115 central standard time, a Cessna 172L, N4303Q, operated by a private pilot, collided with a runway end identifier light… ## Other investigations on N4303Q (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 MIA76FLD09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FLD09), Aug 9, 1975: Cessna 172 (N4303Q), Nw Prt Richey, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=53916. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - Reedsburg Police Department Report (item 3, .PDF, 199 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reedsburg%20Police%20Department%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - FAA Accident/Incident Report (item 5, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Accident%2FIncident%20Report-Redacted.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.