# NTSB CHI08CA256: Cessna 172N, N733KC, Huntington, IN, August 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2008, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Huntington, IN - Coordinates: 40.853054, -85.457221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8531&lon=-85.4572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68762 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68762/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA256 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent use of the toe brake. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unnecessary use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane veered to the left when she applied takeoff power. The airplane traveled off the side of the runway and into the grass where it contacted a ditch and nosed over. The pilot stated during a telephone interview that she believes she inadvertently applied the toe brake which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway. The firewall and both wings were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2008, at 1445 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733KC, nosed over following a loss of directional control while taking off on runway 09 (5,000 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at the Huntington Municipal Airport (HHG), Huntington, Indiana. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane received substantial damage to the firewall and both wings. The personal flight was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Wabash, Indiana. The pilot reported the airplane veered to the left when she applied takeoff power. The airplane traveled off the side of the runway and into the grass where it contacted a ditch and nosed over. The pilot stated during a telephone interview that she believes she inadvertently applied the toe brake which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733KC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733KC), registered now, S/N 17268344 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268344 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joan C. DuBois - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HHG, Huntington, ID - Destination: IWH, WABASH, IN - Airport: Huntington Muni, runway 090, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 158 total, 64 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: FWA ## 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 20080816844219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080816844219A), Aug 16, 2008: Cessna 172N, Huntington, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated she was departing on runway 09 at khhg when the aircraft started to pull to the left. Aircraft departed the left side of runway 09… 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.