# NTSB GAA18CA313: Cessna 172, N780JA, Payson, AZ, May 30, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2018, 16:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.257499, -111.336387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2575&lon=-111.3364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA313 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97367/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97367 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA313 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a short-field takeoff in high-density altitude conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [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) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a short-field takeoff, around 100 ft above the ground, he saw the primary flight display (PFD) airspeed indicator showing 0. He added that the engine appeared to be functioning normally, but he decided to level the airplane and attempt to land on the remaining runway. The airplane then began to turn left, and he added right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane touched down on an adjacent taxiway left of the runway, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination videos were provided by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The videos showed both the PFD and backup airspeed indicators moving in sync with air applied to the pitot tube. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and the calculated density altitude was 7,883 ft. The pilot was departing from runway 24. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a short field takeoff, around 100 ft above ground, he saw the primary flight display (PFD) airspeed indicator show 0. He added, the engine appeared to be functioning normal, but he decided to level the airplane and attempt to land on the remaining runway. The airplane then began to turn left and he added right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane touched down on an adjacent taxiway left of the runway and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination videos were provided by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The videos showed both the PFD and backup airspeed indicators moving in sync with air applied to the pitot tube. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and the calculated density altitude was 7883 ft. The pilot was departing on runway 24. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N780JA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N780JA), registered now, S/N 172S10476, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10476 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ - Destination: PAN, Payson, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PAN, Payson, runway 24, 5,504 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 95.8 total, 95.8 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 2.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KPAN ## 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 20180530024969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180530024969A), May 30, 2018: Cessna 172S, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft was taking off from rwy 24 at Payson when the pilot stated he looked down at the PFD and noted the airspeed indicated ?0?. The pilot said he had… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97367. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 782 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466347&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.