# NTSB IAD02LA061: Cessna 172N, N739RS, Rutland, VT, June 21, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 2002, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Rutland, VT - Coordinates: 43.529724, -72.949447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5297&lon=-72.9494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55015 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD02LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55015/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55015 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff attempt. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot reported that he "failed to maintain centerline" during the takeoff roll, and about 300 feet down the runway, the airplane veered off the left side. He corrected to the right, the airplane's right wing rose, and the airplane nosed over to the left. He reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed flight control continuity from the flight controls to the cockpit, and no mechanical anomalies of the brake system. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 2002, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739RS, was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt from the Rutland State Airport (RUT), Rutland, Vermont. The certificated recreational pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot said that he taxied the airplane onto runway 19, added full power, and initiated the takeoff roll. He "failed to maintain centerline," and about 300 feet down the runway, the airplane veered off the left side. The pilot corrected "to the right," the airplane's right wing rose, and the airplane nosed over to the left. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He also reported about 138 hours of total flight time, 11 of which, were in make and model. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane after the accident. According to the inspector, substantial damage was noted to both wings and the fuselage. Flight control continuity was established from the flight controls to the cockpit. Visual observation of the brake system revealed no mechanical anomalies. The weather reported at the airport at 0855, included calm winds, 4 miles visibility, and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739RS-2002-08-26), registration cancelled 2002-08-26, S/N 17270750, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - 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: 17270750 - Airframe hours: 5422 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rutland Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 2, 2002, 40 hours before - Departed: RUT, Rutland, VT - Destination: RUT - Airport: RUT, Rutland State Airport, runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; recreational; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 11 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: RUT ## 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 20020621013269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020621013269A), Jun 21, 2002: Cessna 172N, Rutland, VT, No damage. (-23) On 06-21-02, at approximately 0920, a Cessna 172N, registration N739RS departed rwy 19 at Rutland, VT. The weather was VMC. Upon initial take-off, the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55015. 805 KB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1/2 Pilot Submission (item 1, .PDF, 656 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2%20Pilot%20Submission-Master.PDF - NTSB Form 6120.1/2 Operator Submission (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40179949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2%20Operator%20Submission-Master.PDF - Summaries of Interview (item 3, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40179950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summaries%20of%20Interview-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.