# NTSB FTW01LA075: Cessna 172F, N5175F, Clovis, NM, March 6, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 2001, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Clovis, NM
- Location: 34.4266° N, 103.0776° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CLOVIS RGNL (CVN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4266&lon=-103.0776&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51918
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51918/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA075

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during take off roll resulting in a ground loop.  A contributing factor was the crosswind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

During take off roll, the airplane started to drift to the left and rolled off of the runway surface.  The pilot stated that there was "a little crosswind", so he applied "a little right rudder" and lowered the left wing.  The aircraft veered back to the right, nosed over and the right wing tip struck the ground.  The runway used was 30.  The reported winds were from 230 degrees at 13 knots.

## Factual narrative

On March 6, 2001, at 1630 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172F airplane, N5175F, owned by United Aero Inc., of Clovis, New Mexico, and operated by Eastern New Mexico Flight Academy of Clovis, New Mexico, was substantially damaged after a loss of control during take off from runway 30 at the Clovis Municipal Airport, Clovis, New Mexico.  The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that, during take off roll, the airplane started to drift to the left and rolled off of the runway surface.  He stated that there was "a little crosswind", so he applied "a little right rudder" and lowered the "left wing."  The aircraft veered back to the right, nosed over, and the right wing tip struck the ground.

Examination of the aircraft by an FAA inspector revealed that the fuselage was twisted, and the right wing was wrinkled.

Reported winds at Clovis at 1655 were from 230 degrees at 13 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5175F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5175F-2001-10-04), registration cancelled 2001-10-04, S/N 17253088, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253088
- Engines: Lycoming O-300-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eastern New Mexico Flight Academy
- Registered owner: United Aero Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CVN, Clovis, NM
- Destination: CVN
- Airport: CVN, Clovis Municipal Airport, runway 30, 5,294 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 1 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: CVN

## 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 20010306004549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010306004549A), Mar 6, 2001: Cessna 172F, Clovis, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 6, 2001 a Cessna CE-172F airplane, N5175F owned by united aero inc. and operated by eastern new Mexico flight academy both of Clovis, new…

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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