# NTSB CHI02LA076: Cessna 172N, N733FT, Ottumwa, IA, February 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 5, 2002, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Ottumwa, IA - Coordinates: 41.00914, -92.409294 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0091&lon=-92.4093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54131/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54131 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA076 ## Probable cause the student pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. A contributing factor was the snowbank. ## 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 obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The airplane nosed over when it veered left off the runway and impacted a snowbank. The student pilot reported he had completed three touch and go landings. He reported that during the fourth touch and go, the airplane went to the left after he applied power. He reported, "I pushed the power in and tried to bring the plane back to the right but was unsuccessful. The plane then hit the snow bank along the runway and flipped over on its top. Once stopped, I turned off the master switch and the key, took off my shoulder harness, seat belt, [and] then exited the plane." The inspection of the airplane revealed no preexisting anomalies or airworthiness discrepancies. ## Factual narrative On February 5, 2002, at 1700 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733FT, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a snow bank and nosed over during takeoff. The student pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was departing runway 31 (5,885 feet by 150 feet, dry asphalt) at Ottumwa Industrial Airport (OTM), Ottumwa, Iowa, when it impacted the snow bank. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot reported he had completed three touch and go landings. He reported that during the fourth touch and go, the airplane went to the left after he applied power. He reported, "I pushed the power in and tried to bring the plane back to the right but was unsuccessful. The plane then hit the snow bank along the runway and flipped over on its top. Once stopped, I turned off the master switch and the key, took off my shoulder harness, seat belt, [and] then exited the plane." The inspection of the airplane revealed no preexisting anomalies or airworthiness discrepancies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733FT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733FT), registered now, S/N 17268267, built 1976 (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: 17268267 - Airframe hours: 5138 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ottumwa Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2002 - Departed: OTM, Ottumwa, IA - Airport: OTM, Ottumwa Industrial Airport, runway 31, 5,885 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 52; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 36 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: OTM ## 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 20020205007719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020205007719A), Feb 5, 2002: Cessna 172N, Ottumwa, IA, No damage. (-23) The pilot is a student pilot with current endorsements and medical/student pilot certificates. He was in solo flight practicing takeoffs and landings,… ## Other investigations on N733FT (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 CHI97LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA214), Jul 16, 1997: Cessna 172 (N733FT), Ottumwa, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the improper flare performed by the student and the inadequate recovery from the bounced landing. A factor related to the accident was the student lack of experience. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54131. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.