# NTSB ERA12CA419: Cessna 172S, N961MC, West Palm Beach, FL, June 26, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2012, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.845832, -80.222221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8458&lon=-80.2222&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 84111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA419 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84111/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84111 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA419 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to conduct takeoffs and landings in conditions exceeding the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind capability. ## 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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum crosswind component](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor stated that he and the student pilot were practicing touch-and-go landings in crosswind conditions. The student pilot landed uneventfully on runway 31; however, during the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and began to veer to the right. The flight instructor took control of the airplane; however, as it subsequently climbed to an altitude of about 10 feet above the ground, another wind gust caused the airplane to roll over. The airplane came to rest inverted on the adjacent taxiway resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The flight instructor reported that were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The reported wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 220 degrees at 19 knots with 29-knot gusts. The pilot operating handbook for this airplane indicates that operation in a direct crosswind of up to 15 knots has been demonstrated. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor stated he was practicing touch and go takeoffs and landings in crosswind conditions with a student pilot. The student pilot landed on runway 31, uneventfully; however, during the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a gust of wind, and began to veer to the right. The flight instructor took control of the airplane; however, as it subsequently climbed to an altitude of about 10 feet above the ground, another wind gust caused the airplane to rollover. The airplane came to rest inverted on the adjacent taxiway resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The flight instructor reported that were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The reported wind at the airport about the time of the accident was from 220 degrees at 19 knots, with 29 knot gusts. The Pilot Operating Handbook for this airplane indicates that operation in direct crosswinds of 15 knots has been demonstrated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N961MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N961MC-2013-08-29), registration cancelled 2013-08-29, S/N 172S9617, built 2004 (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: 172S9617 - Airframe hours: 4186 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Palm Beach Flight Training, doing business as Flight School - Registered owner: Sparrow Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 2012, 93 hours before - Departed: KLNA, Lantana, FL - Destination: KLNA, Lantana, FL - Airport: F45, North Palm Beach CountyAirport, runway 31, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 1,470 total, 650 in this make and model, 1,353 as pilot in command, 256 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 50; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 76 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 20 knots, gusting 29 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: F45 ## 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 20120626012759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120626012759A), Jun 26, 2012: Cessna 172S, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Cessna N961MC, a CE-172S serial number 172S9617, was at north Palm Beach county general aviation airport (KF45) on June 26, 2012 at about 1630 hours local… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84111. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372177&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Student Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Cessna 172S POH (excerpt) (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373691&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20172S%20POH%20(excerpt)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1 (Airplane at Rest) Courtesy of the FAA (item 5, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20(Airplane%20at%20Rest)%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA-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.