# NTSB GAA15CA088: Cessna 172M, N9959V, Sussex, NJ, May 23, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 23, 2015, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Sussex, NJ
- Coordinates: 41.200553, -74.622779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2006&lon=-74.6228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Allentown FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91237/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91237
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA088

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock during the preflight inspection, resulting in a loss of control and collision with trees during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Flight control system: gust lock or damper](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he tried to abort the takeoff because he had not removed the bolt he had placed in the yoke for a gust lock. He reported that the crosswind pushed the airplane off the right side of the runway into the grass, the airplane impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was due to him not removing the bolt in the yoke. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he tried to abort the takeoff because he had not removed the bolt he had placed in the yoke for a gust lock. He reported that the crosswind pushed the airplane off the right side of the runway into the grass, the airplane impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was due to him not removing the bolt in the yoke. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9959V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9959V-2015-10-08), registration cancelled 2015-10-08, S/N 17264577, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M (M)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264577
- Year built: 1974
- Airframe hours: 2936
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Von Bing
- Registered owner: David Von Bing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 2014, 25 hours before
- Departed: N85, PITTSTOWN, NJ
- Destination: FWN, SUSSEX, NJ
- Airport: FWN, Sussex, runway 03, 3,499 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2013; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 800 total, 500 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observed at: KFWN

## 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 20150523006509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150523006509A), May 23, 2015: Cessna 172M, Sussex, NJ, Substantial damage. On 5/23/15 [privacy data omitted] was the pilot in command of N9959V (C-172M). [privacy data omitted] Had flown into Sussex Airport (kfwn) from the alexandria…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91237. 11.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – View of both wings (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20both%20wings%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View of empennage (photo courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20empennage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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.