# NTSB CHI03LA073: Cessna 172, N693SA, Clare, MI, February 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2003, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Clare, MI - Coordinates: 43.834445, -84.739997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8344&lon=-84.7400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56520/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56520 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA073 ## Probable cause The student pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff roll. A factor was the snow bank. ## 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 collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway and hit a snow bank. The student pilot was on a solo cross country instructional flight. The student pilot, who had a total of 38 hours of flight time, reported that she "pulled the nose up too soon" during takeoff. The airplane veered to the left as she tried to lower the nose. She reduced power but was unable to prevent the airplane from departing the runway and hitting a snow bank on the left side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2003, at 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N693SA, operated by American Wings Academy, sustained substantial damage when it veered off runway 8 (2,500 feet by 75 feet, asphalt) during takeoff roll at Clare Municipal Airport (48D), Clare, Michigan. The student pilot was not injured. The Title 14 Part 91 solo cross country instructional flight was departing 48D en route to Bishop International Airport (FNT), Flint, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was on a VFR flight plan. The student pilot, who had a total of 38 hours of flight time, reported that she "pulled the nose up too soon" during takeoff. The airplane veered to the left as she tried to lower the nose. She reduced power but was unable to prevent the airplane from departing the runway and hitting a snow bank on the left side of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N693SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N693SA), registered now, S/N 172S8514, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0-360-B1E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-b1e) (registry code 41559, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258514 - Airframe hours: 1551 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Wings Academy - Registered owner: Denron Contracting Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 2002, 49 hours before - Departed: 48D, Clare, MI - Destination: FNT, FLINT, MI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 48D, Clare Municipal Airport, runway 8, 2,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 41; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: MOP, 12 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 20030214001909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030214001909A), Feb 14, 2003: Cessna 172S, Clare, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot on solo cross country flight lost directional control on takeoff. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56520. 321 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40385694&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.