# NTSB ERA14CA352: Cessna 172M, N1066R, Chatham, MA, July 22, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2014, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Chatham, MA
- Coordinates: 41.686943, -69.990837 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6869&lon=-69.9908&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 September 2, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA352
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89727/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89727
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA352

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with trees.

## 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 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)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072418), [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.

- [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-rejected 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 pilot, he was performing a touch-and-go landing to runway 24. He was initially high on final; however, he landed the airplane about 400 feet from the arrival end of the runway. After applying full throttle during the subsequent takeoff, the airplane veered "significantly" to the left. He attempted to regain directional control; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, into the grass. He applied wheel brakes and the wheels skidded on the grass until the airplane contacted trees. The airplane then spun around "violently" and came to a stop. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he was performing a touch-and-go landing to runway 24. He was initially high on final; however, he landed the airplane about 400 feet from the arrival end of the runway. After applying full throttle during the subsequent takeoff, the airplane veered "significantly" to the left. He attempted to regain directional control; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, into the grass. He applied wheel brakes and the wheels skidded on the grass until the airplane contacted trees. The airplane then spun around "violently" and came to a stop. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the airplane and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1066R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1066R-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 17263020, 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: 17263020
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 4335
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ford James C
- Registered owner: Ford James C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2014
- Departed: CQX, Chatham, MA
- Destination: CQX, Chatham, MA
- Airport: CQX, Chatham Municipal, runway 24, 3,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 222 total, 119 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: CQX

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89727. 18.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum of Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Aircraft Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aircraft%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Fuselage and Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Fuselage%20and%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Inboard Section of Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Inboard%20Section%20of%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Right Wing Outboard Section (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415447&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Right%20Wing%20Outboard%20Section%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 - Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415449&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Fuselage%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.

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