# NTSB GAA16CA181: Cessna 172, N2124E, Orangeburg, SC, April 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2016, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Orangeburg, SC - Coordinates: 33.453334, -80.859725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4533&lon=-80.8597&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA South Carolina FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92984 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92984/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92984 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA181 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion and a 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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported while practicing take offs and landings, he made a standard approach and landing to runway 35. On takeoff, he reduced the flaps to zero degrees and he reported that the airplane was under control and over the runway centerline. After he applied full power and right rudder before lifting off the ground, the airplane started turning to the left sharply. He applied additional right rudder, he reduced the power, and applied full brakes. The airplane departed the runway to left into a swamp and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the firewall. The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind velocity at the accident site was 6 to 7 knots and the wind direction was 330 degrees. The weather reporting facility at the accident site reported that about 3 minutes after the accident time that the wind velocity was 7 knots and the wind direction was 310 degrees. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported while practicing take offs and landings, he made a standard approach and landing to runway 35. On takeoff, he reduced the flaps to zero degrees and he reported that the airplane was under control and over the runway centerline. After he applied full power and right rudder before lifting off the ground, the airplane started turning to the left sharply. He applied additional right rudder, he reduced the power, and applied full brakes. The airplane departed the runway to left into a swamp and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the firewall. The pilot verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind velocity at the accident site was 6 to 7 knots and the wind direction was 330 degrees. The weather reporting facility at the accident site reported that about 3 minutes after the accident time that the wind velocity was 7 knots and the wind direction was 310 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2124E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2124E-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 17271163, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - 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: 17271163 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3750 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 2015 - Departed: OGB, Orangeburg, SC - Destination: OGB, Orangeburg, SC - Airport: OGB, Orangeburg Muni, runway 35, 5,399 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private, recreational, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review March 10, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 100 total, 3 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KOGB, 1 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 20160403003439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160403003439A), Apr 3, 2016: Cessna 172N, Orangeburg, SC, Substantial damage. PIC was intending to conduct a series of takeoffs and landings then conduct a short VFR cc flight. Flight control was lost on fourth pattern circuit while… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92984. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440367&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 801 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440368&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs%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.