- Date
- January 24, 1994, 16:35 local (Jan 25, 1994, 00:35 UTC)
- Place
- Livermore, CA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N6375DCessna 172N
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 14, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940124000839A
- Case key
- 28644
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional and his improper use of the rudder. The student pilot's failure to raise the flaps, the prevailing 90-degree crosswind, and his lack of total experience are factors in this accident.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The student was practicing touch-and go-takeoffs and landings. On the last takeoff, the student pilot attempted to take off with the flaps fully extended. He then failed to maintain directional control by improperly using the rudder. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and nosed over onto its back. There were no reported airplane/engine malfunctions or failures.
Factual narrative
On January 24, 1994, at 1635 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N6375D, lost control and veered off runway 25R at the Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. The noncertificated student pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules solo instructional flight and was not injured. The airplane, operated by Sierra Academy of Aeronautics (herein referred to as Sierra Academy), Livermore, sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Livermore Municipal Airport at 1540 hours.
Mr. James Deeton, Director of Flight Operations, Sierra Academy, submitted the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He said that the student was dispatched at 1540 hours and departed to the practice area. The student returned to the airport at 1610 hours and was doing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings.
On the last takeoff, the student attempted to take off with the flaps fully extended (30 degrees). The student failed to maintain directional control and departed the left side of the runway and entered the soft, recently plowed terrain. When the airplane's nose wheel encountered the mud, the airplane nosed over onto its back.
Mr. Deeton also indicated on the accident report that the airplane did not experience any malfunctions or failures.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the winds were reported to be from 150 degrees at 5 knots at the time of the accident. The operator reported the winds were from 160 degrees at 6 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6375D
- Reported as
- Cessna 172N
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17272761
- Airframe hours
- 8,566
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-02J, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Sierra Academy Of Aeronautics
- Registered owner
- Aircraft Holdings
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · January 7, 1994 · 24 hours before
- Airport
- LVK · Livermore, runway 25R, 5,255 × 100 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 27
- Certificate
- Student
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 73 total · 73 in this make and model · 73 in the last 90 days · 34 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 4,000 ft broken
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LVK
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N6375D · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.