# NTSB GAA18CA369: Cessna 172, N8090X, Bruington, VA, June 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2018, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Bruington, VA - Coordinates: 37.821666, -76.969169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8217&lon=-76.9692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97548 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97548/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97548 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA369 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to abort the takeoff with insufficient runway remaining to safely stop the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072406), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after taking off from an unimproved gravel surface in a field, he did not feel comfortable with the airplane's performance, so he chose to abort the takeoff. The airplane touched down on soft dirt, and the nose landing gear then dug into the dirt and separated from the airplane. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, after taking off from an unimproved gravel surface in a field, he did not feel comfortable with the airplane's performance and aborted the departure. The airplane touchdown in a pasture, the nose landing gear dug into soft dirt and separated from the airplane. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8090X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8090X-2019-07-18), registration cancelled 2019-07-18, S/N 17248590, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248590 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 2872 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 2017 - Departed: Bruington, VA - Destination: XSA, Tappahannock, VA - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, military, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 10,235 total, 350 in this make and model, 2,780 as pilot in command, 331 in the last 90 days, 89 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KXSA, 4 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 20180620008319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180620008319A), Jun 20, 2018: Cessna 172B, Bruington, VA, Substantial damage. According to the pilot, after performing an emergency landing on an unapproved field, he attempted to depart from that field after receiving fuel (automobile… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97548. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 849 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467027&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 649 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467028&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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.