# NTSB DEN06CA022: Cessna 172S, N1053X, Lawrence, KS, December 10, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 10, 2005, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Lawrence, KS
- Coordinates: 39.011665, -95.216667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0117&lon=-95.2167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards Field Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA022

## Probable cause

the student pilot's improper decision to continue taxiing through the field. Contributing factor's include student pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll and the drainage ditch masked by snow.

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

According to the student pilot, he had "set up the [air]plane" for the third takeoff. During the ground roll, the airplane drifted to the left and departed the runway. The student was unable to maneuver the airplane back onto the runway so he elected to continue taxiing through the grass and snow. The student stated that he did not notice a drainage area in the infield because it was covered in snow. While taxing through this area, the propeller struck the ground and the empennage struck the rear of the drainage area resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report submitted by the student pilot, he had "set up the [air]plane" for the third takeoff. During the ground roll, the airplane drifted to the left and departed runway 33. The student reported that he was unable to maneuver the airplane back onto the runway so he elected to continue taxiing through the grass and snow. The student stated that he did not notice a drainage area in the infield because it was covered in snow. While taxing through this area, the propeller struck the ground and the empennage struck the rear of the drainage area. The rudder was creased and the lower firewall wrinkled. An examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1053X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1053X), registered now, S/N 172S9809, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9809
- Airframe hours: 313
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Collins Leasing Company LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2005
- Departed: LWC, Lawrence, KS
- Destination: LWC, Lawrence, KS
- Airport: LWC, Lawrence Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 40; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: LWC, 1 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 20051210030389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051210030389A), Dec 10, 2005: Cessna 172S, Lawrence, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot was conducting solo touch and go operations on runway 33 at Lawrence, KS (klwc). On third touch and go the student retracted the flaps…

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.