# NTSB ERA13CA185: Cessna 172N, N4601D, Bally, PA, March 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 30, 2013, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Bally, PA - Coordinates: 40.392223, -75.558609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3922&lon=-75.5586&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86552/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86552 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA185 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 34 with three passengers and that he had conducted an engine run-up before takeoff and all systems were working properly. He taxied the airplane onto the runway and initiated the takeoff roll. As he pulled back the control yoke, the airplane began to drift to the left, and he was unable to correct the drift. He did not regain control of the airplane, and it exited the runway. The airplane rolled into a grove of pine trees and sustained substantial damage to the tail section and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 34 with three passengers. He said that he conducted an engine run-up prior to takeoff and all systems were working properly. He taxied the airplane onto the runway and initiated the takeoff roll. As he pulled back the control yoke, the airplane began to drift to the left, and he was unable to correct the drift. He did not regain control of the airplane and it exited the runway. The airplane rolled into a grove of pine trees, and sustained substantial damage to the tail section and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4601D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4601D-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 17272312, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272312 - Airframe hours: 8730 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aero-Tech Services - Registered owner: Aero-Tech Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 2013, 16 hours before - Departed: 7N8, Bally, PA - Destination: LNS, Lancaster, PA - Airport: 7N8, Butter Valley Airport, runway 34, 2,420 × 85 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 48 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: LNS ## 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 20130330004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130330004879A), Mar 30, 2013: Cessna 172N, Bally, PA, Substantial damage. On takeoff at unfamiliar airport with aircraft near maximum gross weight low time pilot lost control of aircraft resulting in a drift to left of centerline.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86552. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA investigative statement (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20investigative%20statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Photo- Damaged left wing and vertical section (item 3, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photo-%20Damaged%20left%20wing%20and%20vertical%20section-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.