# NTSB FTW88LA108: Cessna 172P, N52119, Roanoke, TX, May 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1988, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Roanoke, TX
- Coordinates: 33.000148, -97.230545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0001&lon=-97.2305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA108

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL YAW AXIS CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE CROSSWIND TAKE OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, other
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS DEPARTING FROM RUNWAY 35 ON A LOCAL SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, WHEN AT LIFTOFF, THE AIRCRAFT WEATHERVANED INTO THE GUSTING CROSSWIND. THE AIRCRAFT DROPPED ONTO THE GROUND, SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY, AND FLIPPED OVER AFTER IMPACTING A GRAVEL PILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52119](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52119), registered now, S/N 17274418 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274418
- Airframe hours: 3814
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D23 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: North Texas Aero
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 2, 1987, 86 hours before
- Departed: 52F, ROANOKE, TX
- Airport: 52F, Aero Valley, runway 35, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 48 total, 6 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 15 nm away

## 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 19880523071309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880523071309A), May 23, 1988: Cessna 172P, Roanoke, TX, Substantial damage. Weather vaned into left crosswind on liftoff and settled, struck a gravel bank and nosed over. Torque added to turn

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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