# NTSB ERA22LA068: Cessna 172M, N1401U, Indian Trail, NC, September 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 27, 2021, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Indian Trail, NC - Coordinates: 35.120979, -80.587289 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1210&lon=-80.5873&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - 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): 104279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104279/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104279 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA068 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Physical characteristic: physical limitation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011030): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011030/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011030/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/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); 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) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 The private pilot reported that, shortly after the application of takeoff power, the airplane pulled strongly to the left while on the runway. The pilot attempted to correct with right aileron and rudder; however, shortly after rotation, the airplane climbed at an excessive pitch angle and continued to the left. The pilot lowered the nose to regain some airspeed, but the airplane impacted the ground before coming to rest against the trees bordering the runway. The pilot reported that he recently had knee replacement surgery and was unable to bend his left knee, which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder that could not be overcome during the takeoff and initial climb. This resulted in a loss of airplane control and subsequent impact. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1401U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1401U-2023-05-17), registration cancelled 2023-05-17, S/N 17267071, built 1976 (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: 17267071 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 7192 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Loco Panther Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Loco Panther Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 3, 2021 - Airport: 28A, Goose Creek, runway 04/22, 2,350 × 35 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, unknown; last flight review November 3, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 307 total, 97 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: EQY, 6 nm away - METAR: METAR KEQY 271353Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 21/15 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP214 T02110150= ## 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 20210927018629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210927018629A), Sep 27, 2021: Cessna 172M, Indian Trail, NC, Substantial damage. On 9/27/20221, at approximately 0930 local time, a Cessna 172M took off from Goose Creek Airport (28A) using runway 4. Weather at the time was clear with no… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104279. 14.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 10.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12997136&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation_pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12992197&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12991803&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Report-Rel.pdf - Photo array_accident site and damage (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12992187&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.