# NTSB ERA20CA236: Cessna 172, N9127H, Meadville, PA, July 1, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2020, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Meadville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.626667, -80.214721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6267&lon=-80.2147&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101526/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101526
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA236

## Probable cause

The pilot's distraction while taxiing, which resulted in a taxiway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Workload management: task scheduling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064010/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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: 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)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while taxing to the runway, he was programming his GPS unit for the flight. When he looked up, he realized the airplane was near the end of the taxiway. He applied the brakes and attempted to stop on the pavement but was unsuccessful. The airplane rolled into the grass and down an embankment and sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9127H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9127H), registered now, S/N 17265959, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (M)
- 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: 17265959
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 6021
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Moraine Flying Club Inc
- Registered owner: Moraine Flying Club Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2020
- Departed: GKJ, Meadville, PA
- Destination: 3G9, Butler, PA
- Airport: GKJ, Port Meadville, runway 07, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 86; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review May 21, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,162 total, 528 in this make and model, 1,073 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: GKJ

## 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 20200701008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200701008259A), Jul 1, 2020: Cessna 172M, Meadville, PA, Substantial damage. Investigation results: A phone interview was conducted with [privacy data omitted], PIC of N9127H/Port Meadville on 7/6/2020 at his home phone number: [privacy…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101526. 4.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9983647&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-01%206120_ERA20CA236_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - FAA inspectors (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9983319&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-03%20MFR%20FAA%20Inspector_ERA20CA236-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9983811&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06-01-%20photo%20array_20CA236-Rel.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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