# NTSB GAA19CA580: Cessna 172, N739RT, Plant City, FL, September 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 23, 2019, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Plant City, FL - Coordinates: 28.000278, -82.16333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0003&lon=-82.1633&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 March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100361 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA580 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100361/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100361 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA580 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight in the pattern, the airplane encountered a "moderate wind" from the left during landing. The pilot corrected with right rudder application, and the airplane touched down on the right side of the runway centerline. The student retracted the flaps to perform a touch-and-go landing and increased engine power. Subsequently, the airplane veered left and exited the runway. The airplane then impacted a ditch and came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on January 9, 2020. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** The student pilot reported that during a solo flight in the pattern, the airplane encountered a "moderate wind," from the left during landing. The pilot corrected with right rudder application and the airplane touched down on the right side of the runway centerline. The student pilot retracted the flaps to perform a touch and go, and increased engine power to abort the landing. When the pilot increased the engine power, the airplane veered to the left and exited the runway. The airplane impacted a drainage culvert where it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The airport's METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 10° at 5 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 10. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739RT-2020-12-18), registration cancelled 2020-12-18, S/N 17270751, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270751 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 10439.2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Bartow Municipal Airport Development Aut - Registered owner: Bartow Municipal Airport Development Aut - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2019 - Departed: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Destination: PCM, Plant City, FL - Airport: PCM, Plant City, runway 10, 3,950 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 45 total, 45 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KPCM ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100361. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.