# NTSB LAX95LA085: Cessna 172M, N73141, Mesa, AZ, January 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1995, 14:16 local (21:16 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430164, -111.709159 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4302&lon=-111.7092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA085

## Probable cause

Student pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment, his delayed remedial action, and improper use of the flight controls.  The student pilot's lack of experience was a factor 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, landing - roll
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS.  ON THE SIXTH LANDING, THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT.  THE STUDENT PILOT APPLIED CORRECTIVE CONTROL INPUTS, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS.  THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DRAINAGE DITCH.  THE POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Factual narrative

On January 22, 1995, at 1416 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N73141, exited the left side of runway 22R and collided with a ditch at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona.  The pilot was conducting a local area solo visual flight rules instructional flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by private individuals, sustained substantial damage.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight departed Falcon Field on January 22, 1995, about 1300 hours.

The student pilot reported in the aircraft accident report that he made five touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in calm winds.  On the sixth landing, the airplane yawed to the left.  The student pilot applied corrective control inputs, but without success.  The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with a 3-foot drainage ditch that parallels the runway.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane.  The inspector reported that the airplane's flight controls and brake system were operational.  He did not find any preexisting airplane malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73141 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267284
- Airframe hours: 2368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve & Jill Weeks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 8, 1995, 27 hours before
- Departed: FFZ
- Destination: FFZ, AZ
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22R, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19950122001749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950122001749A), Jan 22, 1995: Cessna 172M, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Student lost control on touch and go. Ran off runway into a 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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