# NTSB IAD97LA055: Cessna 172, N737ZC, Harrison, OH, March 16, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1997, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, OH
- Coordinates: 39.239334, -84.790122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2393&lon=-84.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA055

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and his improper operation of the throttle for regain control, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding with a tree.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that he was practicing touch and go landings on runway 18. He said the airplane touched down sideways, with the nose pointing to the left. He added full power to realign the airplane on the runway, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and collided with trees. The reported wind at the time of the accident was variable at 5 knots. The student pilot's total flight experience was 22 hours, all in make and model. The student said there was no mechanical malfunction, and the accident could have been prevented if he had not added full power.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 1997, at 1340 eastern standard time, N737ZC, a Cessna 172, was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway and collided with trees during landing at Cincinnati West Airport, Harrison, Ohio.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The instructional flight originated at Harrison, Ohio, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported that he was practicing touch and go landings on runway 18.  He said the airplane touched down sideways, with the nose pointing to the left.  He added full power to realign the airplane on the runway, but the airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and collided with trees.

The pilot reported his total flight experience to be 22 hours, all in make and model, and he also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. The reported winds at the time of the accident was variable at 5 knots. He said the accident could have been prevented if he had not added full power.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737ZC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737ZC), registered now, S/N 17269793, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- 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: 17269793
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Blesair Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: I67
- Airport: I67, Cincinnati West, runway 18, 3,042 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG, 15 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 19970316003239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970316003239A), Mar 16, 1997: Cessna 172N, Harrison, OH, Substantial damage. Student was landing aircraft, lost control, ran off runway and hit trees. (.4) on March 16, 1997, at 1340 eastern standard time, N737ZC, a Cessna 172, was…

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.

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