# NTSB GAA16CA093: Cessna 172, N947SP, Newton, IA, January 2, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 2, 2016, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Newton, IA - Coordinates: 41.674446, -93.021667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6744&lon=-93.0217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminsitration, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92525/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92525 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion, and airplane nose over. ## 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 172S, 206 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072439), [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 172S, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, his intent was to perform a touch and go landing on a runway with patches of snow extending from the approach end to the departure end. The pilot reported that the touchdown and landing roll were uneventful. He reported that as he aborted the landing and configured the airplane for takeoff, he retracted the flaps, advanced the throttle and applied right rudder. He recalled that when he advanced the throttle, the airplane immediately made a sharp left turn, exited the runway to the left, and impacted the residual snow that was previously cleared from the runway. The airplane nosed over and the pilot exited the runway under his own power. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, his intent was to perform a touch and go landing on a runway with patches of snow extending from the approach end to the departure end. The pilot reported that the touchdown and landing roll were uneventful. He reported that as he aborted the landing and configured the airplane for takeoff, he retracted the flaps, advanced the throttle and applied right rudder. He recalled that when he advanced the throttle, the airplane immediately made a sharp left turn, exited the runway to the left, and impacted the residual snow that was previously cleared from the runway. The airplane nosed over and the pilot exited the runway under his own power. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N947SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N947SP-2019-03-25), registration cancelled 2019-03-25, S/N 172S8142, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8142 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 8347 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Central Iowa Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Central Iowa Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 2015 - Departed: IKV, ANKENY, IA - Destination: TNU, Newton, IA - Airport: TNU, Newton Muni-Earl Johnson Field, runway 32, 5,599 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 121 total, 121 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: TNU ## 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 20160102000059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160102000059A), Jan 2, 2016: Cessna 172S, Newton, IA, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that he departed the ankeny airport (kikv) in N947SP at approximately 09:30 on January 2nd and planned to fly first to the Newton VOR (tnu)… ## Other investigations on N947SP (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 CEN13CA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA289), May 14, 2013: Cessna 172S (N947SP), Ankeny, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92525. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 349 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.