# NTSB GAA19CA085: Cessna 172, N54058, St. Petersburg, FL, November 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 28, 2018, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: St. Petersburg, FL - Coordinates: 27.764999, -82.626663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7650&lon=-82.6267&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98695 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98695/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98695 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA085 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock before flight, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to rotate and a subsequent runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the preflight checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: gust lock or damper](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/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 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072436), [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 172P, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before the flight, he was rushed and did not follow the preflight checklist. During the takeoff with the airplane its near maximum gross weight, he noticed that it was accelerating slowly but that the airspeed was sufficient. He applied elevator back pressure to rotate, but he immediately noticed that the control lock was still in place on the yoke, and he attempted to remove it to no avail. He added that he did not recall trying to abort the takeoff or reduce power. The airplane overran the end of the runway, impacted water, and inverted before sinking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage 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, before the flight he was rushed and did not follow the preflight checklist. During the near maximum gross weight takeoff, he noticed the acceleration was slow, but the airspeed was sufficient. He applied elevator back pressure to rotate, but immediately noticed the control lock was still in place on the yoke and attempted to remove it to no avail. He added that he does not recall trying to abort the takeoff or reduce power. The airplane overran the end of the runway, impacted water, and inverted before sinking. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage 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: [N54058](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54058-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 17274863, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274863 - Year built: 1981 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SPG, St. Petersburg, FL - Destination: SPG, St. Petersburg, FL - Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted, runway 36, 2,864 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 653 total, 391.7 in this make and model, 609.5 as pilot in command, 217.6 in the last 90 days, 89.9 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KSPG ## 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 20181128023009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181128023009A), Nov 28, 2018: Cessna 172P, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. 11/28/2018, At 1235 local time aircraft N54058 departed runway 36 at kspg with one crew and three passengers (4 souls on board). Aircraft reached take off… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98695. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 851 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 407 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.