# NTSB LAX95LA256: Cessna 172N, N4915D, Napa, CA, July 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1995, 21:00 local (Jul 18, 1995, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Napa, CA - Coordinates: 38.549652, -122.150703 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5497&lon=-122.1507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29154 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29154/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA256 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft after one foot slipped off the rudder pedals, and his inadvertent application of asymmetrical brake forces. ## 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 - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO SWERVE ON THE RUNWAY. HE SAID ONE FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE RUDDER PEDAL WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO CORRECT THE AIRCRAFT HEADING AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT THEN VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND ENCOUNTERED SOFT SOIL, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE FIREWALL AND RIGHT WING SPAR SUFFERED DAMAGE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT SAID HE BELIEVES THAT WHEN HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE RUDDER PEDAL HE MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY 'TOUCHED ONE BRAKE, WHICH MADE THE SWERVE WORSE.' ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1995, at 2100 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4915D, veered off runway 18R while landing at Napa, California, and damaged the wing and firewall during an encounter with soft soil. The aircraft was owned by Bridgeford Flying Service of Napa, and was rented by the pilot for a cross-country personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Redding, California, about 1945 hours as the return leg of a round robin cross-country flight from Napa to Redding. In his statement, the pilot reported that after touchdown a gust of wind caused the aircraft to swerve on the runway. He said one foot slipped off the rudder pedal while he was trying to correct the aircraft heading and he lost directional control. The aircraft then veered left off the runway and encountered soft soil, collapsing the nose gear. The firewall and right wing spar suffered damage during the accident. The pilot said he believes that when his foot slipped off the rudder pedal he may have inadvertently "touched one brake, which made the swerve worse." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4915D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4915D-2008-02-15), registration cancelled 2008-02-15, S/N 17272397, 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: 172-72397 - Airframe hours: 4325 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bridgeford Flying Service - Registered owner: R A Bridgeford, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 7, 1995, 14 hours before - Departed: RDD, REDDING, CA - Destination: APC - Airport: APC, Napa County, runway 18R, 5,931 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 415 total, 306 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: APC ## 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 19950717019639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950717019639A), Jul 17, 1995: Cessna 172N, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Exited runway into soft ground. Collapsed nose gear. Damaged wing and firewall. 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.