# NTSB GAA15CA192: Cessna R172K, N5453V, Fairfield, NC, July 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 18, 2015, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, NC - Coordinates: 35.560554, -76.234443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5606&lon=-76.2344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Greensboro FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91602/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91602 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA192 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he added power for takeoff and the airplane started to veer to the left. He stated that he attempted to correct with right rudder and brake, but the airplane departed the paved portion of the runway and the left wing impacted corn rows parallel to the runway. After impacting the corn rows, the pilot reported that the airplane spun around 180 degrees and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he added power for takeoff and the airplane started to veer to the left. He stated that he attempted to correct with right rudder and brake, but the airplane departed the paved portion of the runway and the left wing impacted corn rows parallel to the runway. After impacting the corn rows, the pilot reported that the airplane spun around 180 degrees and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5453V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5453V), registered now, S/N R1722299, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K (K) - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1722299 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 2898.1 - Engines: Continental IO-360 195 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Tim Whitfield Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Tim Whitfield Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2014 - Departed: 23NR, FAIRFIELD, NC - Destination: ONX, CURRITUCK, NC - Airport: 23NR, Whitfield'S East, runway 26, 3,300 × 23 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,728 total, 1.2 in this make and model, 3,180 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KEDE, 32 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 20150718010569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150718010569A), Jul 18, 2015: Cessna R172K, Fairfield, NC, Substantial damage. Power was initially applied slowly. As the aircraft began to roll, full power was immediately applied. When full power was applied, the aircraft veered off the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91602. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431656&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)%20-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Aft View of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Aft%20View%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%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.