# NTSB ERA12CA369: Cessna 172, N787LF, Gainesville, GA, May 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2012, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Gainesville, GA - Coordinates: 34.272777, -83.830276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2728&lon=-83.8303&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83777/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83777 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA369 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper use of the flight controls during the takeoff and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s interference with the flight instructor’s attempted remedial actions. ## 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) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/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-rejected 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 flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to a student who had about 10 hours of flight experience. During the first takeoff roll, the student attempted to steer the airplane with the control yoke instead of the rudder pedals. The flight instructor provided verbal instruction and then attempted to take control of the airplane. The student applied full left rudder, which the flight instructor was unable to counter. The flight instructor was eventually able to reject the takeoff, but the airplane continued to turn to the left, as the student was “frozen on the left rudder.” The instructor could not stop the airplane before it overran the runway and collided with the glideslope antenna. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. Skid marks confirmed the flight instructor's attempt to stop the airplane and the airplane’s continued turn to the left. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor reported that he was providing instruction to a student with about 10 hours of flight experience. During the first takeoff roll, the student attempted to steer the airplane with the control yoke versus the rudder pedals. The flight instructor provided verbal instruction and then attempted to take control of the airplane. The student continued by applying full left rudder, which the flight instructor was unable to counter. The flight instructor was eventually able to take control and the takeoff was rejected. The instructor could not stop the airplane before it overran the runway and collided with the glide slope antenna. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the wreckage and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. Skid marks confirmed the flight instructor's attempt to stop the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N787LF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N787LF), registered now, S/N 172S11125, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - 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: 172S11125 - Airframe hours: 215 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 Series 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Lanier Equipment Leasing LLC - Registered owner: Lanier Equipment Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 27, 2012, 71 hours before - Departed: GVL, Gainesville, GA - Destination: GVL, Gainesville, GA - Airport: GVL, Lee Gilmer Memorial, runway 05, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 1,110 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,068 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 9 total, 9 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: GVL ## 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 20120527008309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120527008309A), May 27, 2012: Cessna 172S, Gainesville, GA, Substantial damage. Accident occured during an instructional flight during takeoff roll. Aircraft sustained substanitial damage after departing left side of runway, into the… ## Other investigations on N787LF (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 WPR25LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA211), Jul 13, 2025: Cessna 172S (N787LF), Sisters, OR, destroyed, investigation ongoing ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83777. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369513&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Forward Fuselage Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 3, .PDF, 883 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Forward%20Fuselage%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Empennage Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 4, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Empennage%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.