# NTSB MIA02LA132: Cessna 172N, N737CQ, Pickens, SC, July 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 2002, 22:33 local (Jul 11, 2002, 02:33 UTC) - Place: Pickens, SC - Coordinates: 34.816387, -82.704719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8164&lon=-82.7047&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55216/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55216 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA132 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation that resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed which resulted in a loss of control during the takeoff roll and damage to the airplane when it exited the departure end of the runway and collided with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had not removed the gust lock and during the takeoff roll, as he was ready to rotate, he noticed the mistake and tried to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued on exiting the end of the runway and colliding with trees. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2002, about 2233, eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N737CQ, registered to Two Beagles Inc., and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed while attempting to take off at Pickens County Airport, Pickens, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received no injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he had rented a Cessna 172 since his airplane was inoperable. He said that when he got into the accident airplane it was dark and he did not see the gust lock. Additionally, he said that his airplane does not have a gust lock so he was not in the habit of using one. He said that during the takeoff roll, as he attempted to pull aft on the control yoke at the rotation point, he noticed that the gust lock was still installed. He said he then tried to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued along its path and ran down a slope, coming to rest at the trees located about 50 yards beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane incurred damage to the firewall, the fuselage and the wings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737CQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737CQ), registered now, S/N 17269317, built 1977 (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: 17269317 - Airframe hours: 3193 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Two Beagles Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 2002, 90 hours before - Departed: LQK, Pickens, SC - Destination: AIK, Aiken, SC - Airport: LQK, Pickens County Airport, runway 23, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 14, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 6,300 total, 200 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: CEU ## 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 20020710019879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020710019879A), Jul 10, 2002: Cessna 172N, Pickens, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that during take off he realized he had failed to remove the control lock. He ran off the end of the runway causing substantial damage… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55216. 657 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 657 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461257&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.