# NTSB ERA14CA169: Cessna 172M, N8893V, Knoxville, TN, March 23, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 23, 2014, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Knoxville, TN - Coordinates: 35.884998, -83.957496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8850&lon=-83.9575&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 July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88965/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88965 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA169 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with an obstacle. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/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 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [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 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane began to veer to the left after approximately 225 feet. The student pilot applied right rudder and reduced power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane. The airplane continued off of the runway and collided with a pole, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane began to veer to the left after approximately 225 feet. The student pilot applied right rudder and reduced power in an attempt to regain control of the airplane. The airplane continued off of the runway and collided with a pole, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8893V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8893V), registered now, S/N 17264251, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264251 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 6899 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: East Tennessee Pilots Club - Registered owner: East Tennessee Pilots Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 2014, 40 hours before - Departed: TN98, Knoxville, TN - Destination: TN98, Knoxville, TN - Airport: TN98, Sky Ranch, runway 19, 2,100 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 32 total, 32 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 4 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 20140323002709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140323002709A), Mar 23, 2014: Cessna 172M, Knoxville, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft slowly veered left on takeoff roll. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder and brakes which resulted in the aircraft leaving the runway and… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88965. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Buckling underneath left wing by wing root (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 380 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Buckling%20underneath%20left%20wing%20by%20wing%20root%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Outboard leading edge damage on left wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 433 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Outboard%20leading%20edge%20damage%20on%20left%20wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Buckling on the top of the left wing by wing root (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413447&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Buckling%20on%20the%20top%20of%20the%20left%20wing%20by%20wing%20root%20(Photo%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. --- 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.