# NTSB FTW04LA215: Cessna 172N, N739AM, New Braunfels, TX, August 18, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 2004, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: New Braunfels, TX - Coordinates: 29.704444, -98.042221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7044&lon=-98.0422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59943/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA215 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the high wind condition. ## 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 - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The 11-hour student pilot lost directional control of the airplane while attempting to take off from runway 13 (a 5,364-foot long and 100-foot wide asphalt runway). The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and the pilot was unable to make the proper corrections. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, and collided with a taxiway sign. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 140 degrees at 16 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2004, at 1815 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N single-engine airplane, N739AM, was substantially damaged when it collided with a taxiway sign following a loss of directional control during takeoff roll at the New Braunfels Municipal Airport (BAZ), near New Braunfels, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Southern Wings Flight Training Center of New Braunfels. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, the 11-hour student pilot, who was conducting his second supervised solo flight, was attempting to take off from runway 13 (a 5,364-foot long and 100-foot wide asphalt runway), and the airplane started to veer off the runway to the left. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway, and collided with a taxiway sign. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed the left horizontal stabilizer was bent upwards approximately 5 degrees. The left main landing gear was found crushed underneath the fuselage. At 1751, the automated surface observing system at BAZ reported wind from 140 degrees at 16 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky condition clear, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of Mercury. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received from the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739AM), registered now, S/N 17270389, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270389 - Engines: Lycoming reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Bartels - Registered owner: Southern Wings Flight Training Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Airport: BAZ, New Braunfels Municipal Airpor, runway 13, 5,364 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: BAZ ## 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 20040818022939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040818022939A), Aug 18, 2004: Cessna 172N, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff under gusty conditions, student pilot lost directional control and struck runway marker with subsequent aircraft damage. Observed aircraft… 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.