# NTSB ERA09CA430: Cessna 172N, N733BS, Manassas, VA, July 30, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2009, 13:21 local (17:21 UTC) - Place: Manassas, VA - Coordinates: 38.719444, -77.509162 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7194&lon=-77.5092&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74414 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA430 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74414/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74414 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA430 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): quantity](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057932): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057932/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057932/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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/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) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis On his third solo flight, the student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on the 3,703-foot-long by 100-foot-wide runway, and he had successfully completed one circuit. His flight instructor, who witnessed the accident, stated that on the second takeoff attempt the aircraft swerved to the left of the runway centerline as both main tires skidded, and the airplane impacted a runway sign. The student pilot continued the takeoff and the airplane became airborne. While the airplane was in the traffic pattern, the engine seized due to damage sustained during the takeoff sequence. The flight instructor provided guidance to maintain airspeed and aircraft control over the radio, and the student pilot subsequently landed without further incident. In his statement, the student pilot explained that the left brake was sticking during his initial takeoff roll; however, examination of the airplane after the accident revealed no mechanical anomalies. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot had been instructed to “abort the takeoff by pulling the throttle to idle and applying the brakes as appropriate” if the takeoff roll was not normal. ## Factual narrative On his third solo flight, the student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on the 3,703-foot-long by 100-foot-wide runway, and he had successfully completed one circuit. His flight instructor, who witnessed the accident, stated that on the second takeoff attempt the aircraft swerved to the left of the runway centerline as both main tires skidded, and the airplane impacted a runway sign. The student pilot continued the takeoff and the airplane became airborne. While the airplane was in the traffic pattern, the engine seized due to damage sustained during the takeoff sequence. The flight instructor provided guidance to maintain airspeed and aircraft control over the radio, and the student pilot subsequently landed without further incident. In his statement, the student pilot explained that the left brake was sticking during his initial takeoff roll; however, examination of the airplane after the accident revealed no mechanical anomalies. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot had been instructed to “abort the takeoff by pulling the throttle to idle and applying the brakes as appropriate” if the takeoff roll was not normal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733BS), registered now, S/N 17268173 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268173 - Airframe hours: 8769 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Manassas Aviation Center - Registered owner: Flowmeter Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 29, 2009, 4 hours before - Departed: HEF, Manassas, VA - Destination: HEF, Manassas, VA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: HEF, Manassas Regional Airport, runway 34L, 3,703 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: HEF ## 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 20090730048459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090730048459A), Jul 30, 2009: Cessna 172N, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. On July 30, 2009 a student pilot operating a Cessna 172N, r/n: N733BS made a normal departure from Manassas regional airport (khef). Upon returning to (khef)… ## Other investigations on N733BS (2) 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. - [NTSB ATL07CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA132), Aug 25, 2007: Cessna C172N (N733BS), Manassas, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to correct for a pilot-induced oscillation/porpoise, during flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB CHI79FET26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FET26-202532), Jun 6, 1979: Cessna 172 (N733BS), Willard, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74414. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317822&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 2, .PDF, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317823&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Technician Statement (item 3, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Technician%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Engine Firewall and Cowling. (item 5, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317825&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Engine%20Firewall%20and%20Cowling.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Tire Skid Marks on Runway. (item 6, .PDF, 872 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317894&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Tire%20Skid%20Marks%20on%20Runway.-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Showing Damage to Runway Sign and Tire Skid Marks on Grass. (item 7, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Showing%20Damage%20to%20Runway%20Sign%20and%20Tire%20Skid%20Marks%20on%20Grass.-Master.PDF 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.