# NTSB LAX91LA396: Cessna 172N, N251ER, Prescott, AZ, September 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1991, 19:36 local (Sep 14, 1991, 02:36 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.620243, -112.420707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6202&lon=-112.4207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27360
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA396
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27360/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA396

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE DARK, NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION AND TO THE PILOT'S INEXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF NIGHTTIME TAKEOFF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE 81.9-HOUR TOTAL TIME, RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED A DARK, NIGHTTIME TAKEOFF, ON A 7616 FOOT-LONG BY 150-FOOT WIDE RUNWAY. OVER 30 SECONDS EARLIER A BEECH 1900 AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED FROM THE SAME RUNWAY.  THE PRIVATE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING HIS TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRPLANE BEGAN SHAKING AND HE FELT 'UNCOMFORTABLE'.  THE PILOT APPLIED BRAKES AND RUDDER BUT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK.  THE PILOT'S TOTAL NIGHTTIME PIC FLIGHT EXPERIENCE WAS 3.7 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N251ER (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271075
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ
- Registered owner: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: PRC, Ernest A. Love Fld., runway 21, 7,616 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 82 total, 82 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 1 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 19910913040099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910913040099A), Sep 13, 1991: Cessna 172N, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Aborted night takeoff after severe vibration and buffetting. Lost control. Ran off runway. Behind mesa jet takeoff.

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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