# NTSB ERA12CA325: Cessna 172R, N24461, Culebra, PR, May 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2012, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Culebra, PR - Coordinates: 18.313055, -65.304168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.3131&lon=-65.3042&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83586/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83586 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA325 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remove the flight control lock before takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Flight control system: gust lock or damper](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After doing an engine runup the pilot taxied onto the runway and started his takeoff roll. During the attempted takeoff, the pilot realized that the control wheel would not move aft when he tried to pull back on it. He saw that the flight control lock was still installed, so he attempted to remove it but was not successful. The airplane was approaching the airport perimeter fence, so the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane impacted the fence, crossed a road, and struck trees. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s wings and fuselage. Checklist procedures for the airplane required that the control wheel lock for the airplane be removed during the preflight inspection, and that the flight controls be checked prior to takeoff to ensure free and correct operation before takeoff. However, during a postaccident interview, the pilot stated that he did not use the checklist. ## Factual narrative After doing an engine runup the pilot taxied onto the runway and started his takeoff roll. At approximately 60 knots indicated airspeed he attempted to rotate for takeoff and realized that the control wheel would not move when he attempted to pull back on it. He then observed that the flight control lock was still installed so he attempted to remove it. He pulled on the flight control lock, but it would not come out. He then observed that he was approaching the airport perimeter fence so he shut down the engine and attempted to use the elevator trim to raise the nose. The airplane then impacted the fence, bounced off a road, and struck trees. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that the wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. Checklist procedures for the airplane required that the control wheel lock for the airplane be removed during the preflight inspection, and the flight controls be checked prior to takeoff, to assure that they were free and correct. However, during a post accident interview the pilot advised that he did not use the checklist. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24461](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24461-2012-07-26), registration cancelled 2012-07-26, S/N 17280968, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280968 - Airframe hours: 4181 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Isla Grande Flying Sch00l And Service Corporation - Registered owner: Flight World Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2012 - Departed: TJCP, Culebra, PR - Destination: TJVQ, Vieques, PR - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: TJCP, Benjamin Rivera Noriega, runway 13, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 42,452 total, 563 in this make and model, 38,952 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 6 knots - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: TIST, 18 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 20120507009439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120507009439A), May 7, 2012: Cessna 172R, Culebra, PR, Destroyed. During an interview with [privacy data omitted] and having FAA inspector echegoyen as witness, he admitted that he didn't used the checklist and failed to D0… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83586. 20.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370681&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements and Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Redacted.PDF - Excerpts From Cessna 172R Information Manual - Checklist Procedures (item 3, .PDF, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20From%20Cessna%20172R%20Information%20Manual%20-%20Checklist%20Procedures-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (TIST METARs) (item 4, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370684&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20(TIST%20METARs)-Master.PDF - Photograph 1: Main Wreckage (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%201%3A%20Main%20Wreckage%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph 2: Left Wing Root Area (FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%202%3A%20Left%20Wing%20Root%20Area%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph 3: Left Wing Outboard Section (FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%203%3A%20Left%20Wing%20Outboard%20Section%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph 4: Nose Section (FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%204%3A%20Nose%20Section%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph 5: Control Lock (FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%205%3A%20Control%20Lock%20(FAA)-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.