# NTSB MIA03LA116: Cessna 172N, N9758G, Clearwater, FL, June 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2003, 10:32 local (14:32 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.910554, -82.690002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9106&lon=-82.6900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 57103 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57103/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA116 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, and impacting with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll the airplane started to yaw to the left. The pilot applied right rudder, but the airplane continued to the left, departed the runway and impacted with an airport sign. An examination of the brakes and the rudder cables revealed no discrepancies. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2003, about 1032 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N9758G, registered to Four Fox Air Inc., and operated by an individual, impacted with an airport sign during the takeoff roll at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport, Clearwater, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot-in-command and three passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time. According to the pilot he was departing runway 22, had started the takeoff roll, and the airspeed indicator had just started to move, when the airplane started to yaw to the left. He applied right rudder, but the airplane continued to the left, departed the runway and impacted with an airport sign. According to the FAA inspector, during an interview with the pilot, the pilot told him that he did not recall why the airplane yawed to the left, even after applying full right rudder. The inspector stated that an inspection of the brakes and the rudder cables revealed that they all checked out "satisfactory." In addition, the inspector stated that the pilot was 5 feet 3 inches tall, and that the seat may not have been close enough to get full deflection of the pedal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9758G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9758G-2017-02-15), registration cancelled 2017-02-15, S/N 17273635, 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: 17273635 - Airframe hours: 7371 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Shapiro - Registered owner: Four Fox Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 2003, 15 hours before - Departed: PIE, ST PETERSBURG/C, FL - Destination: Clearwater, FL - Airport: PIE, St Petersburg/Clearwater Intl, runway 22, 5,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 4, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 28 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KPIE ## 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 20030601016049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030601016049A), Jun 1, 2003: Cessna 172N, St Petersburg-C, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 1, 2003, about 1032 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N9758G, registered to four fox air inc., and operated by an individual, impacted with… 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.