# NTSB GAA19CA014: Cessna 172, N78239, Stockton, CA, October 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2018, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Stockton, CA - Coordinates: 37.894165, -121.238334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8942&lon=-121.2383&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 10, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98452/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98452 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA014 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 172K, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/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 172K, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072430), [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 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072430), [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 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, during departure and before rotation, the airplane veered left, and he applied opposite rudder, but the airplane impacted a taxiway sign. The nose landing gear separated from the firewall, and the airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest upright in a field adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall structural plate and the lower firewall flange. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that during a touch and go landing roll, he reduced the throttle to idle, attempted to retract the flaps, but could have moved the flaps to the down position, and he turned off the carburetor heat. During departure, prior to rotation, the airplane veered to the left and he applied opposite rudder, but the airplane impacted a taxiway sign. The nose landing gear separated from the firewall and the airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest upright in a field adjacent to the runway. The pilot added that he was not familiar to the airplane's flap system. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall structural plate and the lower firewall flange. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78239](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78239), registered now, S/N 17257540, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257540 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 5442.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 ED2 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jc Air Academy Inc - Registered owner: Jc Air Academy Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 2018 - Departed: SCK, Stockton, CA - Destination: SCK, Stockton, CA - Airport: SCK, Stockton Metropolitan, runway 29L, 4,448 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 47.7 total, 19.2 in this make and model, 33.9 in the last 90 days, 11.8 in the last 30 days, 3.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KSCK, 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 20181005016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181005016699A), Oct 5, 2018: Cessna 172K, Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. A Cessna 172K N78239 took off from Stockton, CA. Airport and student pilot was performing touch and go's on runway 29L. On seventh touch and go, pilot lost… ## Other investigations on N78239 (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL91LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA175), Sep 15, 1991: Cessna 172K (N78239), Greeneville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF N78239, AND HIS FAILURE TO ACCURATELY JUDGE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO AIRCRAFT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98452. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471480&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471481&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.