# NTSB LAX94LA103: Cessna 172N, N6375D, Livermore, CA, January 25, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 1994, 16:35 local (Jan 25, 1994, 00:35 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.679496, -121.74971 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6795&lon=-121.7497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28644/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA103 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6375D), registered now, S/N 17272761, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 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: 17272761 - Airframe hours: 8566 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940124000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940124000839A), Jan 24, 1994: Cessna 172N, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. Tried takeoff full flaps. Aborted. Lost control. Exited runway. Nosed over. Crosswind and inadequate training. ## Other investigations on N6375D (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 LAX97LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA119), Mar 10, 1997: Cessna 172N (N6375D), Oakland, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's failure to completely reduce the throttle after landing, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. 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.