# NTSB ERA12CA531: Cessna 172P, N65747, Lyman, MS, August 23, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2012, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Lyman, MS - Coordinates: 30.510278, -89.147224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5103&lon=-89.1472&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA531 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84799/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84799 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA531 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff as a result of his attempt to close an unsecured cockpit window. ## 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 172P, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system: door windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035630): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Inadequate inspection; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035630/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035630/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he was conducting the initial takeoff when the window on the cockpit door came open. He reached with his left hand to close the window and simultaneously tried to abort the takeoff. When he looked up, he observed the airplane departing the left side of the runway. He was unable to stop the airplane before it collided with perimeter trees. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that he was conducting his initial takeoff when the window on the cockpit door came open. He reached with his left hand to close the window and simultaneously tried to abort the takeoff. When he looked up, he observed the airplane departing the left side of the runway. He was unable to stop the airplane before it collided with perimeter trees. According to an inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration, the airframe was damaged, including a buckled engine firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65747](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65747-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 17275852, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275852 - Airframe hours: 4274 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 2012, 2 hours before - Departed: MS82, Lyman, MS - Destination: MS82, Lyman, MS - Airport: MS82, Shade Tree Field, runway 35, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 182 total, 182 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: GPT, 7 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 20120823018469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120823018469A), Aug 23, 2012: Cessna 172P, Shade Tree, MS, Substantial damage. Pilot started take off roll and shortly thereafter heard what he thought was the door open (only window had opened). Pilot reached behind and to the left to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84799. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Memorandum of Record - Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-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.