# NTSB GAA19CA472: Cessna 172, N9548W, Mt. Sterling, KY, July 28, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2019, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Mt. Sterling, KY - Coordinates: 38.058055, -83.979446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0581&lon=-83.9794&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA472 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99975/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99975 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA472 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll due to distraction by the passenger window being unsecured, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway distance marker. Contributing to the accident was pilot’s failure to ensure that the passenger window was secured. ## 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 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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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 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) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) - [Prior to flight: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he left the windows open while completing the Start-up checklist and while taxiing to the runway. During the takeoff roll, he noticed that the passenger window was unsecured. While attempting to secure the window, he momentarily took his eyes off the runway. As he looked back at the runway, the airplane was traveling to the left side of the runway. With insufficient runway to correct direction, the airplane impacted a runway distance marker sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that he left the windows open while completing the start-up checklist and while taxiing to the runway. During the takeoff roll, he noticed the passenger window was unsecured. In his attempt to secure the window, he momentarily took his eyes off the runway. As he looked back, the airplane was traveling to the left side of the runway. With insufficient room to correct direction, the airplane collided with a runway distance marker sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9548W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9548W), registered now, S/N 17280512, built 1999 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280512 - Year built: 1999 - Engines: Lycoming IO360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: ZH Aviation LLC - Registered owner: ZH Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IOB, Mt. Sterling, KY - Destination: IOB, Mt. Sterling, KY - Airport: IOB, Mount Sterling-Montgomery Coun, runway 21, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 444 total, 189 in this make and model, 2.7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KIOB, 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 20190728012849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190728012849A), Jul 28, 2019: Cessna 172R, Mt Sterling, KY, Substantial damage. Preflighted Cessna N9548W a 1999 Cessna 172R. Following my checklist through engine start, leaving windows open as it was a hot afternoon. Taxied aircraft to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99975. 253 KB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.