# NTSB CHI08CA029: Cessna 172R, N77LU, Brookings, SD, October 29, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 29, 2007, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Brookings, SD
- Coordinates: 44.3047222222222, -96.8169444444444
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3047&lon=-96.8169&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 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Rapid City FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA029

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll.  Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's lack of solo flight experience and the runway sign.

## 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
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The student pilot was practicing solo touch-and-go landings at the time of the accident.  After an uneventful touchdown, the pilot applied engine power for takeoff and the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway impacting a runway sign.  The pilot reported being distracted by another airplane after touchdown and as a result he failed to reposition the flaps for takeoff.  The airplane received substantial damage to fuselage primary structure and the right horizontal stabilizer.  The student pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.  The student pilot had 40 hours of flight time, of which 8 hours were accumulated during solo flight.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot was practicing solo touch-and-go landings at the time of the accident.  After an uneventful touchdown, the pilot applied engine power for takeoff and the airplane drifted off the left side of the runway impacting a runway sign.  The pilot reported being distracted by another airplane after touchdown and as a result he failed to reposition the flaps for takeoff.  The airplane received substantial damage to fuselage primary structure and the right horizontal stabilizer.  The student pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.  The student pilot had 40 hours of flight time, of which 8 hours were accumulated during solo flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77LU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77LU), registered now, S/N 17281154, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172R
- Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17281154
- Airframe hours: 3156
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: South Dakota State University
- Registered owner: Aberdeen Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 2007
- Departed: BKX, Brookings, SD
- Destination: BKX, Brookings, SD
- Airport: BKX, Brookings Regional Airport, runway 12, 5,231 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: BKX

## 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 20071029828099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071029828099A), Oct 29, 2007: Cessna 172R, Brookings, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot [privacy data omitted] was flying N77LU conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 12 at the Brookings, SD airport. He touched down on…

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.