# NTSB ERA21LA057: Cessna 172, N53587, Sanford, NC, November 27, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 27, 2020, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Sanford, NC - Coordinates: 35.582439, -79.101338 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5824&lon=-79.1013&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: 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): 102351 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102351/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102351 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he was aware of a left crosswind of about 5 knots and compensated by applying extra left aileron. During the takeoff roll about 45 to 50 knots, the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot stated that the airplane, “felt like it had lifted off the ground” in a gradual left roll and he was unable to correct with right aileron or sufficient rudder. Once the airplane departed the runway, he reduced the power and applied the brakes, but the airplane skidded down an embankment and collided with a hill. The impact separated the engine from the mounts and the nose landing gear was sheared off which caused substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that he likely had more left aileron than was necessary for the crosswind at the beginning of the takeoff roll, and he did not reduce the control application as the airspeed increased. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53587](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53587), registered now, S/N 172S9407, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9407 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 6877 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Chapel Hill Flying Club, Inc, doing business as Wings of Carolina Flying Club - Registered owner: Chapel Hill Flying Club, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 2020, 19 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: TTA, Raleigh Executive Jetport at Sanford-Lee County Airport, runway 21, 6,501 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 73.9 total, 72.9 in this make and model, 19.9 as pilot in command, 39.3 in the last 90 days, 22.3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: TTA ## 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 20201127014779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201127014779A), Nov 27, 2020: Cessna 172S, Sanford, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot took off from runway 3 at tta with what he estimated was 5% aileron to the left. The winds were light but shifting, and were 350@5 when the pilot… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102351. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11676813&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation_pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11677689&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_Pilot-Rel.pdf - FAA inspectors statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11677494&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20N53587_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook excerpt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11676837&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=PIlot%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array_accident site and damage (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 785 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11676719&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs-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. --- 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.