# NTSB LAX97LA119: Cessna 172N, N6375D, Oakland, CA, March 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1997, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Oakland, CA - Coordinates: 37.770404, -122.269569 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7704&lon=-122.2696&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 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29739 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29739/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA119 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to completely reduce the throttle after landing, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. ## 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 - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker (contributing factor) ## Analysis While practicing touch-and-go landings, the student pilot unknowingly left the power in on landing. During the landing rollout, the student could not maintain directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft began to move left and right across the runway. He said he began to over correct, trying to keep the aircraft on centerline instead of pulling the power. The airplane left the runway edge and hit a distance marker sign. Examination of the aircraft was conducted with no abnormalities noted. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 1997, at 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N6375D, veered off of runway 27L and struck a distance marker sign while practicing touch-and-go landings at the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the solo local instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. In his written statement the pilot reported that he, "unknowingly left the power in on landing. During the landing roll the plane became hard to control. . .after moving left and right across the runway I began over correcting trying to keep the aircraft on centerline instead of pulling the power as I should have." The airplane left the runway edge and hit a distance marker sign. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 240 degrees at 7 knots. An FAA airworthiness inspector reported that no mechanical abnormalities were found during an examination of the aircraft. ## 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: 10427 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sierra Academy Of Aeronautics - Registered owner: Aircraft Holdings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: AAIP, March 2, 1997, 34 hours before - Departed: OAK - Airport: OAK, Metropolitan Oakland Intl, runway 27L, 6,212 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OAK ## 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 19970310002759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970310002759A), Mar 10, 1997: Cessna 172N, Oakland, CA, Substantial damage. PILO6T was practicing touch and go landings when aircraft ran off runway after landing. ## 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 LAX94LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA103), Jan 25, 1994: Cessna 172N (N6375D), Livermore, CA, substantial damage. 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… 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.