# NTSB ERA11CA244: Cessna 172S, N2468Z, Saint Petersburg, FL, April 13, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2011, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Saint Petersburg, FL - Coordinates: 27.764999, -82.626945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7650&lon=-82.6269&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 August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78871/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78871 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA244 ## Probable cause The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/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 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot stated that after takeoff during his second supervised solo flight, he remained in the traffic pattern and landed uneventfully. During the landing roll he elected to perform a touch-and-go landing and applied power for takeoff. Immediately after adding power, the airplane turned left. He applied right rudder to correct the left turn but then decided to perform a full stop landing. He applied the brakes in an effort to keep the airplane on the runway, and reduced power before the airplane departed the runway, and went into water while traveling about 30 knots. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student's certified flight instructor stated that after veering to the left, the airplane exited the runway, crossed a perpendicular runway, and then impacted a ditch at which time he heard power applied. He then observed the airplane travel into the water and ran to the airplane to assist his student. Postaccident inspection of the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The student pilot stated that after takeoff during his second supervised solo flight, he remained in the traffic pattern and landed uneventfully, but during the landing roll elected to perform a touch-and-go landing and applied power. Immediately after adding power, the airplane turned left and he used rudder to correct the left turn but then decided to perform a full stop landing. He applied the brakes in an effort to keep the airplane on the runway, and reduced power, then added a little power inadvertently because he was nervous, then reduced power. The airplane departed the runway, and went into water while traveling about 30 knots. The student pilot further stated there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction. The students’ certified flight instructor stated that after veering to the left, the airplane exited the runway onto grass, crossed runway 25, and then went into a ditch at which time he heard power applied. He then watched the airplane travel into the water and ran to the airplane to assist his student. Postaccident inspection of the flight controls by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2468Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2468Z-2011-07-20), registration cancelled 2011-07-20, S/N 172S10065, 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: 172S10065 - Airframe hours: 2441 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Bay Air Flying Service - Registered owner: VL Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 2011 - Departed: SPG, Saint Petersburg, FL - Destination: SPG, Saint Petersburg, FL - Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted Airport, runway 36, 2,864 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: SPG ## 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 20110413006079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110413006079A), Apr 13, 2011: Cessna 172S, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. On April 13, 2011, a Cessna 172S, N2468Z registered to vl aviation LLC, was doing touch and go landings at Albert Whitted Airport in St Petersburg, Florida.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78871. 696 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Statement from Certified Flight Instructor (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Certified%20Flight%20Instructor-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.