# NTSB FTW03LA017: Cessna 172L, N7616G, San Antonio, TX, October 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 11, 2002, 09:31 local (15:31 UTC) - Place: San Antonio, TX - Coordinates: 29.336944, -98.471107 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3369&lon=-98.4711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55889 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55889/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind resulting in a loss of directional control. A contributing factor was the prevailing 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - airport sign/marker - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the student pilot lost directional control of the airplane and impacted a runway sign. The student pilot had completed several takeoffs and landings without incident. Due to a change in wind direction, the active runway changed from runway 14 to runway 09. On her first takeoff from runway 09, the airplane veered to the left of centerline, and the pilot did not correct for the left drift. The airplane departed the side of the runway and its left main gear collided with a runway sign, partially separating the left main landing gear. After completing a traffic pattern for a full stop landing, the airplane abruptly veered to the left after the damaged left main gear contacted the runway. The airplane departed the runway, crossed a taxiway , and collided with another taxiway sign, and came to rest in the upright position. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 2002, at 0931 central standard time, a Cessna 172L single-engine airplane, N7616G, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control while landing at the Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF), near San Antonio, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by a private individual and was being operated by Check Six Aviation, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas. No flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the local instructional flight. The flight originated from the Stinson Airport approximately 0845. The FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the 29-hour student pilot had been cleared by her flight instructor to perform stop and go landings on runway 14, where she executed several takeoffs and landings without incident. Due to a change in wind direction, the active runway changed to runway 09. On her first takeoff from runway 09, the airplane veered to the left of centerline during the takeoff roll, and the pilot did not correct for the left drift. The airplane departed the side of the runway and its left main gear collided with a runway sign, partially separating the left main landing gear. The student pilot was not aware that the left main landing gear was partially separating and trailing. The airplane was observed to continue the takeoff roll, became airborne, and re-entered the traffic for a full-stop landing. During the landing roll, the airplane abruptly veered to the left after the damaged left main gear contacted the runway. The airplane departed runway 09, crossed taxiway Delta, and collided with another taxiway sign, coming to rest in the upright position. On the recommendation portion of the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the operator stated that the accident could have been prevented by "more right rudder application on takeoff." Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed damaged to the left main landing gear, skin damage to the belly of the airplane, and structural damage to spar for the left horizontal stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7616G (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-59316 - Airframe hours: 4208 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Check Six Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 24, 2002, 28 hours before - Departed: SSF, San Antonio, TX - Airport: SSF, Stinson Field, runway 090, 4,835 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 50; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KSSF ## 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 20021011037389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021011037389A), Oct 11, 2002: Cessna 172L, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff roll, (student solo) drifted left of centerline of runway and struck runway sign with left main gear. The student continued the takeoff… 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.