# NTSB ERA12CA496: Cessna 172S, N6276Z, Culpeper, VA, August 3, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 3, 2012, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Culpeper, VA
- Coordinates: 38.521945, -77.855552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5219&lon=-77.8556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA496
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84587/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84587
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA496

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff.

## 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: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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)
- [Landing-landing roll: 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)
- [Landing-landing roll: 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

According to the pilot, the airplane touched down about halfway down the runway. The pilot’s intent was to perform a touch-and-go practice landing and takeoff. He applied takeoff power, retracted the flaps, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot reported that he was unable to maintain directional control with aileron and rudder control inputs and elected to abort the takeoff. After he reduced power to idle, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and continued approximately 100 yards before impacting a row of trees. A witness report corroborates the pilot’s landing description. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. In a phone interview the accident the pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that precluded normal operation of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane touched down about halfway down the runway. The pilot’s intent was to perform a touch-and-go practice landing and takeoff. He applied takeoff power, retracted the flaps, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot reported that he was unable to maintain directional control with aileron and rudder control inputs and elected to abort the takeoff. After he reduced power to idle the airplane departed the left side of the runway and continued approximately 100 yards before impacting a row of trees. A witness report corroborates the pilot’s landing description. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In a phone interview the accident the pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6276Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6276Z-2017-01-09), registration cancelled 2017-01-09, S/N 172S10745, built 2008 (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: 172S10745
- Airframe hours: 1747
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Adventures, LLC
- Registered owner: Heavenly Body III Aviation Enterprises LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 19, 2012, 20 hours before
- Departed: HWY, Warrenton, VA
- Destination: CJR, Culpepper, VA
- Airport: CJR, Culpeper Regional Airport, runway 22, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 76 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: CJR

## 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 20120803020779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120803020779A), Aug 3, 2012: Cessna 172S, Culpeper, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting a touch and go on runway 22 when the aircraft began to veer to the left. Pilot was unable to maintain contact with the rwy and continued…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84587. 7.4 MB in all.

- Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 615 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum For Record FAA Inspector's Statement (2 Statements) (item 4, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20(2%20Statements)-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement - Neil Milofsky (item 5, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20-%20Neil%20Milofsky-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Weather (item 6, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375827&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: View of Airplane at Accident Site - Courtesy of FAA (item 7, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375168&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: View of Airplane at Accident Site - Courtesy of FAA (item 8, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375167&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%20-%20Courtesy%20of%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.

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