# NTSB MIA02LA117: Cessna 172N, N739PF, Marietta, GA, June 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2002, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Marietta, GA - Coordinates: 34.013053, -84.598335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0131&lon=-84.5983&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 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 55023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55023/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55023 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA117 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the left side of the runway, impacting with a gully and nosing over. ## 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) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The student pilot said he was practicing touch-and-go landings, and after landing he added "full power" to the airplane's engine. The airplane's nose veered left, he attempted to control the airplane with right rudder, brakes, and retarded the throttle, before the airplane departed the left side of the runway. After the airplane departed the runway it entered the grassy area along side of the runway, struck a gully, and nosed over. No mechanical discrepancies were reported or found with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2002, about 0930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739PF, registered to and operated by Atlanta Northside Aviation Inc., nosed over during landing, at the Cobb County/McCollum Field Airport, Marietta, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 training flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from the same airport, at 0920. The student pilot said he was on a solo flight practicing touch-and-go landings. After landing on runway 9, he initiated the takeoff sequence by retracting the flaps, and shutting off the carburetor heat. He then added "full power" to the airplane's engine. The airplane's nose "veered left," he applied right rudder to correct, but the airplane "kept moving left." The student pilot said he applied brakes in an attempt to control the airplane, and "pulled the throttle back," before the airplane departed the "left" side of the runway. After the airplane departed the runway it entered the grassy area along side of the runway, struck a gully, and nosed over. No mechanical discrepancies were reported or found with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739PF-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 17270691, built 1978 (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: 17270691 - Airframe hours: 6367.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Atlantic Northside Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2002, 94.5 hours before - Departed: RYY, Marietta, GA - Airport: RYY, McCollum Field, runway 9, 5,355 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 22 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KRYY ## 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 20020622015249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020622015249A), Jun 22, 2002: Cessna 172N, Marietta, GA, No damage. (-23) On June 22, 2002, at approximately 0930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739PF, operated by and registered to atlanta northside aviation inc.,… ## Other investigations on N739PF (2) 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 NYC80FHM24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FHM24), Aug 7, 1980: Cessna 172N (N739PF), Spring Valley, NY, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC79DHM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79DHM08), Feb 3, 1979: Cessna 172N (N739PF), Montgomery, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55023. 289 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.