# NTSB LAX92LA003: Cessna C-172N, N3318E, Palo Alto, CA, October 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1991, 09:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449729, -122.099349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4497&lon=-122.0993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA003

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT LOS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO CORRECTLY CONFIGURE THE RUDDER TRIM FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - rudder trim - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID SHE WAS PRACTICING SOFT FIELD TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS DURING THE SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL SESSION. GROUND WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT ACHIEVED A VERY STEEP CLIMB ANGLE AFTER ROTATION FOR THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE LEFT IN A NOSE HIGH DESCENT ATTITUDE AND THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A TREE ON A GOLF COURSE ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS.  CONTROL SYSTEM CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED THROUGHOUT THE AIRCRAFT.  NO ABNORMAL SYSTEM CONDITIONS WERE NOTED DURING THE EXAMINATION.  THE RUDDER TRIM CONTROL WAS FOUND POSITIONED AT ABOUT 50 PERCENT TO THE LEFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3318E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3318E), registered now, S/N 17271502, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-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: 17271502
- Airframe hours: 2342
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Air One
- Registered owner: Air One
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1991, 13 hours before
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 3, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 140 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 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 19911003044599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911003044599A), Oct 3, 1991: Cessna 172N, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Drifted nose high off runway on takeoff. Stall mushed. Struck trees. Rudder trim 50 percent off neutral.

## Other investigations on N3318E (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA08CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA030), Nov 17, 2007: Cessna 172N (N3318E), Atwater, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the sign and the ditch.

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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