# NTSB LAX02LA130: Cessna 172S, N627SP, Palm Springs, CA, April 3, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 3, 2002, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Palm Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.829723, -116.506668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8297&lon=-116.5067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54484/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54484 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot lost directional control and collided with a runway edge light and taxiway sign. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - sign - object - runway light ## Analysis The airplane collided with a runway edge light and taxiway sign after the pilot loss directional control due to unintentionally hitting the brakes during his landing. The pilot was able to regain control and guide the airplane back onto the runway. ## Factual narrative On April 3, 2002, about 1030 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172S, N627SP, collided with a taxiway sign during the landing roll at Palm Springs, California. The Flight School at Palm Springs was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed about 1000. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The student was practicing landings on his second supervised solo. He completed five touch-and-go landings, and the sixth was to be a full stop landing. During the landing roll, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. The airplane departed the runway, but the student pilot was able to guide it back onto the runway. During the excursion, the airplane collided with a runway edge light and taxiway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The student thought he might have inadvertently hit the brakes during the landing and pulled the plane to the left. The Safety Board was notified of the accident on April 8, 2002. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N627SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N627SP), registered now, S/N 172S8621, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8621 - Airframe hours: 1211 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: The Flight School At Palm Springs - Registered owner: Robert Parkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 2002 - Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA - Airport: PSP, Palm Springs International, runway 13, 4,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 47; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: PSP ## 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 20020403007139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020403007139A), Apr 3, 2002: Cessna 172S, Palm Springs, CA, No damage. (.19) On April 3, 2002, about 1030 pacific standard time, a Cessna 172S, N627SP, collided with a taxiway sign during the landing roll at Palm Springs,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54484. 358 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Operator (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Operator-Redacted.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.