# NTSB CHI07CA090: Cessna 172E, N3622S, Big Rapids, MI, March 14, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 14, 2007, 13:52 local (17:52 UTC)
- Place: Big Rapids, MI
- Coordinates: 43.722499, -85.504165
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7225&lon=-85.5042&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA090

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff which led to the impact with the snow banks adjacent to the runway.  The snow banks were contributing factors in the accident.

## 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)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

The airplane struck snowbanks on the left side of the runway  (2,700 feet by 75 feet), after liftoff and then nosed over.  The student pilot reported that on a previous flight with his instructor, they had practiced soft field takeoffs.  The student reported that on this solo flight he decided to perform a soft field takeoff.  He stated that during the takeoff, the nose of the airplane came up as expected.  He stated that because of the limited view over the nose of the airplane, he did not realize that the airplane was drifting toward the left.  He stated that once the airplane became airborne, he could see that it was heading toward the snow banks adjacent to the runway.  He attempted to avoid the snow banks, but the left main landing gear hit the top of a snow bank, then the right main landing gear struck a snow bank and the airplane settled toward the ground.  The airplane subsequently hit another snow bank and nosed over.  The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The airplane struck snowbanks on the left side of the runway (2,700 feet by 75 feet), after liftoff and then nosed over.  The student pilot reported that on a previous flight with his instructor, they had practiced soft field takeoffs.  The student reported that on this solo flight he decided to perform a soft field takeoff.  He stated that during the takeoff, the nose of the airplane came up as expected.  He stated that because of the limited view over the nose of the airplane, he did not realize that the airplane was drifting toward the left.  He stated that once the airplane became airborne, he could see that it was heading toward the snow banks adjacent to the runway.  He attempted to avoid the snow banks, but the left main landing gear hit the top of a snow bank, then the right main landing gear struck a snow bank and the airplane settled toward the ground.  The airplane subsequently hit another snow bank and nosed over.  The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3622S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3622S), registered now, S/N 17250822 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250822
- Engines: Continental O-300 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RQB, Big Rapids, MI
- Airport: runway 32, 2,700 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 61 total, 58 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20070314832139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070314832139A), Mar 14, 2007: Cessna 172E, Big Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Solo student pilot attempted a simulated soft field takeoff on rwy 32 at krqb. Aircraft drifted off the left side of runway and struck a snow bank…

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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