# NTSB FTW95LA386: Cessna 172N, N4918G, Kerrville, TX, September 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 1995, 23:00 local (Sep 9, 1995, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Kerrville, TX - Coordinates: 30.039716, -99.130004 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0397&lon=-99.1300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA386 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA386 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and his failure to use all the available runway. A factor was the dark night. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The airplane was being operated as a personal night cross-country flight. The pilot taxied from the ramp located near the helipad to runway 20 via the taxiway that crosses near the midpoint of the runway. Instead of turning right onto runway 20 and back taxiing to the end of the runway, he turned left and attempted to takeoff using approximatly 1,300 feet of the 4,050-foot runway. After realizing he was running out of runway, the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane came to rest approximately 150 feet beyond the runway in a ditch. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 1995, at 2300 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4918G, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Kerrville Municipal/Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas. The commercial pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal night cross country flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in San Antonio, Texas at 2200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported in a written statement that, after taxiing to runway 20, he did a runup, then "taxied onto the runway and gave full throttle." After realizing he was "running out of runway," he aborted the takeoff. He further reported that, after the incident, "I noticed that I had taxied onto the short runway." The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he taxied from the ramp, which is located near the helipad, to runway 20 via the taxiway that crosses near the midpoint of the runway. He further reported that, instead of turning right onto runway 20 and back taxiing to the end of the runway, he turned left and attempted to takeoff using approximately "1,300 feet" of runway. Examination of the accident site by the FAA inspector revealed evidence of braking where the airplane crossed runway 12/30. See airport diagram. The airplane came to rest in a ditch approximately 150 feet beyond the runway. The left wing was buckled near the fuel tank and the engine was displaced to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4918G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4918G-2016-06-23), registration cancelled 2016-06-23, S/N 17273465, built 1979 (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: 17272465 - Airframe hours: 4283 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alpha Tango Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1995, 96 hours before - Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX - Destination: ERV - Airport: ERV, Kerrville Municipal, runway 20, 4,050 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 604 total, 114 in this make and model, 553 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950908033139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950908033139A), Sep 8, 1995: Cessna 172N, Kerrville, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane was being operated as a personal night cross-country flight. The pilot taxied from the ramp located near the helipad to runway 20 via the… ## Other investigations on N4918G (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 FTW00LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA188), Jun 29, 2000: Cessna 172N (N4918G), San Antonio, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were the flight instructor's fatigued condition and diverted attention. 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.