# NTSB ERA15LA274: Cessna 172S, N962SP, Linden, NJ, July 19, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 2015, 19:09 local (23:09 UTC) - Place: Linden, NJ - Coordinates: 40.6175, -74.244445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6175&lon=-74.2444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91594 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91594/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91594 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA274 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delayed decision to reject the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly configure the flaps for maximum takeoff performance with the airplane near its maximum gross weight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/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 172S, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); 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) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: 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 The pilot reported that the airplane felt "heavy" during liftoff from the 4,140-ft-long asphalt runway with the airplane near its maximum gross weight. He then attempted to reject the takeoff and land on the runway; however, the airplane bounced two or three times and then departed the runway, struck a fence about 600 ft beyond the runway end, and then came to rest upright. The pilot also reported that the flaps were retracted during the takeoff attempt and that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Review of a takeoff distance chart for the make and model airplane revealed that, at maximum gross weight and with the atmospheric conditions that existed at the time of the accident, the airplane would have required a ground roll of 1,945 ft to clear a 50-ft obstacle. However, the calculations assumed a flap setting of 10 degrees and calm wind. Given that the airplane took off with an approximate 8-knot headwind, its performance would have been better than calculated. Therefore, it's likely that the airplane would have had sufficient runway to successfully depart the 4,140-ft-long runway with or without the 10-degree flap extension. The pilot's failure to use the flaps combined with the airplane being near its maximum gross weight likely resulted in the airplane feeling "heavy" to the pilot and led to his decision to reject the takeoff. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2015, about 1909 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N962SP, registered to Richmond Pilots Corp, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while attempting to depart from Linden Airport (LDJ), Linden, New Jersey. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned flight to Montauk Airport (MTP), Montauk, New York. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.The pilot reported that during takeoff on runway 27, a 4,140-foot-long asphalt runway, the airplane "felt heavy." He decided to reject the takeoff and land the airplane on the remaining portion of the runway. The airplane subsequently bounced two or three times before touching down near the departure end of the runway. The airplane continued beyond the end of the runway and impacted a fence before coming to rest upright. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and he had calculated the weight to be about 30 lbs below the maximum gross weight of 2,550 lbs. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He reported 108 hours of total flight experience, all of which were in the accident airplane make and model, and 11 of those hours were flown during the 30-day period preceding the accident. The airplane was examined at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. According to the inspector, the airplane impacted a fence approximately 600 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The airplane was nearly full with fuel and the wing flaps were in the retracted position, which the pilot confirmed was the takeoff setting via a telephone interview. The 1915 recorded weather observation at LDJ included wind from 290 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 36 degrees C, dew point 22 degrees C; and a barometric altimeter of 29.76 inches of mercury. Review of a takeoff distance chart for the make and model airplane revealed that at a maximum gross weight of 2,550 lbs, at sea level, at 40 degrees C, the airplane required a ground roll of 1,150 feet or 1,945 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The data assumed calm wind a flap setting of 10 degrees extension. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N962SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N962SP-2017-09-14), registration cancelled 2017-09-14, S/N 172S8164, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0-360-B1E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-b1e) (registry code 41559, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8164 - Year built: 1999 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richmond Pilots Corp - Registered owner: Richmond Pilots Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Destination: MTP, Montauk, NY - Airport: LDJ, Linden, runway 27, 4,140 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2014; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 108 total, 108 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: LDJ ## 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 20150719010539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150719010539A), Jul 19, 2015: Cessna 172S, Linden, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot stated the aircraft was fueled with 16 gallons of fuel before loading himself and three passengers plus cargo on the aircraft. The temperature was… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91594. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432592&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Excerpt From Cessna 172S Information Manual (item 4, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20From%20Cessna%20172S%20Information%20Manual-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 5, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo (item 6, .PDF, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.