# NTSB ERA12CA320: Cessna 172F, N5551R, Cambridge, NY, May 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2012, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Cambridge, NY - Coordinates: 43.052501, -73.363052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0525&lon=-73.3631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83561/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83561 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA320 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a takeoff in variable crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot completed one takeoff and landing to a full stop on the 2,100-foot-long turf runway to observe the wind and "refresh" himself with the operation of the airplane. Two passengers then boarded the airplane for a local flight. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and prepared to take off using a short-field takeoff technique. The airplane lifted off the runway after a takeoff roll of about 900 feet, and the pilot “crabbed” the airplane slightly right into the crosswind to track along the runway. About 30 feet above the runway, he leveled the airplane to “pick up speed” and tried to track the runway centerline. However, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Witnesses reported to the pilot that the airplane's tail lifted when the wind changed to a quartering tailwind during the takeoff, just before the nose landing gear impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative The pilot completed one full-stop takeoff and landing on the 2,100-foot-long turf runway in order to observe the winds and "refresh" himself with the operation of the airplane. Two passengers then boarded the airplane for a local flight. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and prepared for a short field takeoff technique. The airplane lifted off the runway in about 900 feet, and the pilot crabbed the airplane slightly right towards the crosswind. About 30 feet above the runway, he leveled the airplane and attempted to correct the airplane's lateral position towards the centerline. About that time, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Witnesses reported to the pilot that the airplane's tail lifted as the wind changed to a quartering tailwind during the takeoff, just before the nose landing gear impacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5551R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5551R-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N 17253138, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253138 - Airframe hours: 4525 - Engines: Continental Motors O-300 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cambridge Valley Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Cambridge Valley Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2011 - Departed: 1B8, Cambridge, NY - Destination: 1B8, Cambridge, NY - Airport: 1B8, Chapin Field, runway 25, 2,100 × 63 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 12, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 177 total, 177 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DDH, 11 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 20120505023029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120505023029A), May 5, 2012: Cessna 172F, Cambridge, NY, Substantial damage. During rotation a gust of wind hit the airplane, and the pilot lost directional control. The airplane went into a corn field the nose wheel broke off and the… ## Other investigations on N5551R (1) 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 NYC66F0069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0069), Jul 13, 1965: Cessna 172F (N5551R), E Killingly, CT, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83561. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 531 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Damage to Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Damage%20to%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Damage to Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 4, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-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.