# NTSB LAX96LA043: Cessna 172, N55152, Santa Ana, CA, November 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 1995, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Ana, CA - Coordinates: 33.709472, -117.870498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7095&lon=-117.8705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. The pilot's diverted attention while raising the flaps and pushing in the carburetor heat control 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, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS. ON THE SECOND TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED WHILE THE PILOT WAS RAISING THE FLAPS AND PUSHING IN THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE SHOULD HAVE MADE A FULL STOP LANDING, TAXIED BACK, AND THEN MADE A NORMAL TAKEOFF. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 1995, at 0900 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N55152, exited runway 19L and ground looped at John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California. The pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, operated by Orange County Flight Center at John Wayne Airport, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at John Wayne Airport at 0830 hours. The pilot said in a telephone interview conducted on November 10, 1995, that he was practicing touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. The airplane bounced on the second landing and he applied power to begin the takeoff roll. He said that he lost directional control of the airplane when raising the flaps and pushing in the carburetor heat control. The pilot also said that the airplane did not experience any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. The pilot reiterated his telephone statement in the aircraft accident report. He also said "I am a relatively new pilot. I was practicing touch and go landing and takeoffs. They are complex maneuvers. I believe [that] coming to a full stop and taxi[ing] back for a regular takeoff would have been safer." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55152](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55152-2007-01-08), registration cancelled 2007-01-08, S/N 17275121, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275121 - Airframe hours: 5648 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Orange County Flight Center - Registered owner: Rodney Mitchell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 20, 1995, 87 hours before - Departed: SNA - Airport: SNA, John Wayne, runway 19L, 2,887 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 18 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SNA ## 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 19951110036409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951110036409A), Nov 10, 1995: Cessna 172P, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on touch and go while transitioning for takeoff. Admits at skill level bettor full stop. 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.