# NTSB GAA17CA232: Cessna 172, N92873, Houston, TX, April 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 11, 2017, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 30.0575, -95.551109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0575&lon=-95.5511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95002/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95002 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA232 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delayed attempt to abort the takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/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 of the float-equipped airplane reported that, before takeoff, the windsock showed "no significant wind" and that the control tower "confirmed using a southerly traffic pattern." He added that, during the takeoff from the waterway, the airplane initially accelerated as expected. He further added that "it became clear that the take-off run was not progressing as anticipated" and that he decided to abort the takeoff. He brought the power to idle and applied back pressure to the control yoke. The airplane slid onto the grass embankment at the end of the runway and came to rest on the adjacent taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather observations from the airport showed that, from about 20 minutes before the accident to 60 minutes after the accident, the wind varied in direction from 360° to 050°, and the speed varied from 4 to 11 knots, with a peak wind from 360° at 30 knots. The pilot departed waterway 17W. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that prior to takeoff, the windsock showed "no significant wind" and the control tower "confirmed using a southerly traffic pattern". He added that during the takeoff on the waterway, the airplane initially accelerated as expected. He further added that "it became clear that the take-off run was not progressing as anticipated" and decided to abort the takeoff. He brought the power to idle and applied back pressure to the control yoke. The airplane slid onto the grass embankment at the end of the runway and came to rest on the adjacent taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather observations, located on the airport, showed that from about 20 minutes before the accident to 60 minutes after the accident, the wind varied in direction from 360° to 050°, and the speed varied 4 to 11 knots, with a peak wind of 360° at 30 knots. The pilot departed waterway 17W. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92873](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92873), registered now, S/N 17261636, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-series) (registry code 41499, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17261636 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 4518 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 2017 - Departed: DWH, Houston, TX - Destination: DWH, Houston, TX - Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks Memorial, runway 17W, 2,500 × 80 ft, water - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 17, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,820 total, 6 in this make and model, 1,510 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Check pilot; age 52; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KDWH, 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 20170411020989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170411020989A), Apr 11, 2017: Cessna 172M, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. During a commercial checkride a Cessna N92873, model 172M on floats, initiated a takeoff run on a sealane heading north. The PIC stated during takeoff roll,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95002. 942 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 790 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452689&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.