# NTSB ERA23LA271: Cessna 172, N12395, Seymore, TN, June 18, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 18, 2023, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC) - Place: Seymore, TN - Coordinates: 35.812279, -83.774642 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8123&lon=-83.7746&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 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): 192401 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192401/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192401 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA271 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the wing flaps for a soft-field takeoff on a short runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/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 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor stated that he was teaching the student pilot a soft-field takeoff technique on a 2,300-ft-long turf runway, with a passenger in the back seat. The flight instructor further stated that student pilot lifted off the airplane at 52 knots, but it settled back to the runway as the wind shifted from a headwind to a tailwind. The airplane then traveled about 100 ft beyond the departure end of the runway and struck bushes, coming to rest upright. The flight instructor added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The inspector noted that the flaps were in the fully retracted position and asked the flight instructor why he did not perform the accident takeoff with 10° flap extension, per the owner’s manual. The flight instructor replied that was always how he performed soft-field takeoffs. The recorded wind speed about the time of the accident was 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12395](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12395), registered now, S/N 17261968, built 1973 (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: 17261968 - Year built: 1973 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: TN20, Seymour Air Park, runway 25, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 74; injuries: minor; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor, commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2023; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 30,000 total, 15,000 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 52 total, 48 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 10 nm away - METAR: KTYS 181153Z 07003KT 8SM BKN250 18/14 A2994 ## Other investigations on N12395 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC95LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA038), Dec 2, 1994: Cessna 172J (N12395), Batavia, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUGHDOWN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND AND PROXIMITY OF THE DITCH TO THE RUNWAY. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192401. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16006815&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16007300&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR-Rel.pdf - Excerpt from owner's manual (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16006075&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cessna_172m_poh_excerpt-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16007601&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16007130&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.