# NTSB GAA19CA130: Cessna 172, N9525V, Hanover, VA, February 4, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 4, 2019, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Hanover, VA
- Coordinates: 37.708057, -77.436386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7081&lon=-77.4364&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98954/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98954
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA130

## Probable cause

The student pilot's improper decision to release the seat latch to adjust the seat position during taxi, which resulted in his inability to reach the rudder or brake pedals and a subsequent loss of directional control and impact with a ditch and fence.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fuselage: seat/cargo attach fitting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035347): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035347/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035347/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 172R, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [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 172R, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md)
- [Physical workspace: access to equipment/controls](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 46 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo student pilot reported that, while taxiing to the runway for departure, he attempted to adjust the seat to get a "better view." When he released the seat latch, the seat moved aft, and he was unable to reach the rudder pedals or brake pedals with his feet. He added that he was unable to lean forward because his seat belt was secured. Subsequently, the airplane veered left, and he pulled the engine throttle to idle, but the airplane exited the taxiway into a ditch and struck a wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and right horizontal stabilizer. 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 while taxiing to the runway for departure, he attempted to adjust the seat to get a "better view". When he released the seat latch, the seat moved aft, and he was unable to reach the rudder pedals or brake pedals with his feet. He added that he was unable to lean forward because his seat belt was secured. Subsequently, the airplane veered left, he pulled the engine throttle to idle, but the airplane exited the taxiway into a ditch and struck a wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9525V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9525V), registered now, S/N 17280315, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (R)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17280315
- Year built: 1998
- Airframe hours: 3899.6
- Engines: Lycoming IO360 SER A&C 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Heart Of Virginia Aviation Inc, doing business as HOVA Flight Services
- Registered owner: Heart Of Virginia Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 28, 2019
- Departed: OFP, Hanover, VA
- Destination: OFP, Hanover, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OFP, Hanover County Muni
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Video recording device, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 31; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KOFP

## 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 20190204000509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190204000509A), Feb 4, 2019: Cessna 172R, Hanover, VA, Substantial damage. Aicraft was taxing when the pilot lost control and the aircraft went off the taxiway into a ditch and struck a fence resulting in a prop strike

## Other investigations on N9525V (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 NYC02LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA053), Jan 27, 2002: Cessna 172R (N9525V), Richmond, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot improper flare.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98954. 914 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 442 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471813&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.