# NTSB LAX08CA074: Cessna 172M, N80318, Richfield, UT, March 11, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2008, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Richfield, UT - Coordinates: 38.736389, -112.098892 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7364&lon=-112.0989&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67684 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67684/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the flight controls and failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and her certified flight instructor (CFI) flew around the traffic pattern in preparation for the student's first solo flight. After successfully completing three takeoffs and landings, the CFI exited the airplane and the student commenced her solo flight. The CFI monitored the airplane's flight and observed what he described as a normal approach and touchdown. However, during rollout the airplane veered off the side of the runway, entered soft terrain, and nosed over. The student indicated that upon losing directional control she had attempted to redirect the airplane back toward the runway initially using the ailerons and then the rudder. The student applied brakes in a effort to decelerate, but did not pull the yoke in an aft direction as the airplane entered soft terrain adjacent to the runway. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2008, about 1530 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N80318, veered off the side of runway 01 and nosed over at the Richfield Municipal Airport, Richfield, Utah. The student pilot was performing her first solo flight and first landing when the airplane suddenly exited the runway. The solo instructional flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot's certified flight instructor (CFI) reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had monitored his student's flying as she proceeded around the traffic pattern. The pilot's approach and landing appeared normal. However, during rollout the airplane departed the tarmac, entered soft terrain, and nosed over. The CFI reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 030 degrees at 3 knots. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was leased to, and operated by, the CFI who was operating his flight instruction business using the name Fly Aviation. According to the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator who responded to the accident site, the airplane's vertical stabilizer, left wing, and lift strut were bent. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Richfield about 1520. The student reported to the Safety Board investigator that she had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the operation of the airplane. Immediately prior to the accident she had flown her CFI around the traffic pattern three times, and she had made three "great takeoffs and landings." Thereafter, the CFI exited the airplane and she commenced her first solo flight. The student further reported that during her landing approach she had incrementally extended the wing flaps, and on final approach the flaps were set to at least 20 degrees. After the airplane touched down on the runway she may have briefly looked downward. She had not increased engine power in preparation for her planned touch-and-go when the airplane began veering off the runway. The student indicated that she attempted to redirect the airplane toward the runway, but she lost directional control while initially manipulating the ailerons and then using the rudder. The student additionally stated to the Safety Board investigator that she applied brakes in a effort to decelerate, but she had not pulled the yoke in an aft direction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80318-2009-10-05), registration cancelled 2009-10-05, S/N 17266515, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266515 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jaron M. Maynes, doing business as Fly Aviation - Registered owner: Michael L. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: RIF, Richfield, UT - Destination: RIF, Richfield, UT - Airport: RIF, Richfield Municipal, runway 01, 6,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F - Observed at: RIF ## 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 20080311011849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080311011849A), Mar 11, 2008: Cessna 172M, Richfield, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 11, 2008 at approximately 1515 LCL (2115 gmt) the pilot of N80318 lost control of the aircraft during landing and departed the surface of the… 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.