# NTSB GAA18CA460: Cessna 172, N24144, Grand Prairie, TX, July 29, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2018, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Grand Prairie, TX - Coordinates: 32.69889, -97.046943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6989&lon=-97.0469&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA460 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97963/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97963 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA460 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline during takeoff with a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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 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) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, while practicing soft-field takeoffs, the airplane lifted off about midfield and drifted left. He and the flight instructor tried to correct, but the airplane struck a runway sign and spun left. The flight instructor reported that, during the soft-field takeoff, as soon as the airplane lifted off the ground, the student pilot lost his composure. He added that, while calling for the flight controls, he began to fight the student for the flight controls and yelled "let go." The airplane struck a taxiway sign, and the airplane spun to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots. The student reported that the wind was from between 220° and 240° at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane departed from runway 17. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that, while practicing soft field takeoffs, the airplane lifted off about mid-field and drifted to the left. He and the flight instructor tried to correct, but the airplane struck a runway sign, and spun to the left. The flight instructor reported that, during the soft field takeoff, as soon as the airplane lifted off the ground, the student pilot lost his composure. He added that, while calling for the flight controls, he began to fight the student for the flight controls and yelled "let go". The airplane struck a taxiway sign and the airplane spun to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 11 knots. The student pilot reported that the wind was from 220° to 240° at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airplane departed runway 17. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24144](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24144), registered now, S/N 172S10558, built 2007 (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 IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S10558 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aviator Air Llc - Registered owner: Aviator Air Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GPM, Grand Prairie, TX - Destination: GPM, Grand Prairie, TX - Airport: GPM, Grand Prairie Muni, runway 17, 4,001 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 36; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, waiver time limited special; seat: right; flight hours: 480 total, 410 in this make and model, 426 as pilot in command, 199 in the last 90 days, 105 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 58; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 58 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KGPM ## 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 20180729018339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180729018339A), Jul 29, 2018: Cessna 172S, Grand Prairie, TX, Substantial damage. On July 29, 2018 at approximately 1105 local time, a Cessna 172S, registration number N24144, owned and operated by aviator air LLC, lost directional control… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97963. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467688&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Student Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467689&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 748 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467690&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.