# NTSB DFW08CA051: Cessna 172, N1458U, Houston, TX, December 28, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 28, 2007, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.934999, -95.639442
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9350&lon=-95.6394&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: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA051

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.  A contributing factor was prevailing crosswind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - muddy

## Analysis

The private pilot was flying multiple visual patterns on a 40-foot wide asphalt runway.  Winds were reported by the pilot as variable and gusting.  The pilot stated that during the third touch-and-go, the wind shifted to a crosswind with a tailwind component. While reconfiguring for takeoff, the pilot perceived a faster than normal groundspeed.  A gust of wind contacted the airplane's tail pushing the nose to the left.  The pilot attempted to correct back to centerline but was hesitant to input an aggressive correction due to the faster than normal groundspeed.  The left main gear ran off the runway onto the grass and the airplane departed the left side of the runway.  The nose gear sank into mud and was separated.  The nose gear strut dug into the muddy terrain and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position.  On a NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented with a more aggressive rudder input.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot was flying multiple visual patterns on a 40-foot wide asphalt runway.  Winds were reported by the pilot as variable and gusting.  The pilot stated that during the third touch-and-go, the wind shifted to a crosswind with a tailwind component. While reconfiguring for takeoff, the pilot perceived a faster than normal groundspeed.  A gust of wind contacted the airplane's tail pushing the nose to the left.  The pilot attempted to correct back to centerline but was hesitant to input an aggressive correction due to the faster than normal groundspeed.  The left main gear ran off the runway onto the grass and the airplane departed the left side of the runway.  The nose gear sank into mud and was separated.  The nose gear strut dug into the muddy terrain and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position.  On a NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented with a more aggressive rudder input.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1458U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1458U-2010-07-14), registration cancelled 2010-07-14, S/N 17267125, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267125
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: MVP Aero Academy - Weiser Park
- Registered owner: J & D Aircraft Llc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EYQ, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: EYQ, Weiser Air Park, runway 090, 3,455 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 45 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 8 knots, gusting 11
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg

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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