# NTSB MIA06CA065: Cessna 172, N737TR, Leesburg, FL, March 16, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 16, 2006, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Leesburg, FL
- Coordinates: 28.817499, -81.809165
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8175&lon=-81.8092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06CA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63356/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06CA065

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in collision with a taxiway sign.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,taxiway sign(s)

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that he performed a normal landing. After all three wheels were down; the airplane began to veer toward the left side of the runway. He tried applying right rudder, but could not control the airplane in time before it hit a taxiway sign on the left side of the runway. The airplane then went across the runway and stopped on the grass.  He secured the airplane before exiting. The flight instructor who endorsed the solo flight stated that the student pilot was not authorized to land at the accident airport. The operator stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On March 16, 2006, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P, N737TR, registered to and operated by Avion Air Academy, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, impacted with a taxiway sign during landing at the Leesburg Regional Airport, Leesburg, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rule flight plan was filed. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight had originated from the Gainesville Regional Airport, Gainesville, Florida, earlier that day, about 1325

The student pilot stated he performed a normal landing. After all three wheels were down; the airplane began to veer toward the left side of the runway. He tried to applying right rudder but could not control the airplane in time before it hit a taxiway sign on the left side of the runway. The airplane then went across the runway and stopped on the grass.  He secured the airplane before exiting.

The flight instructor who endorsed the solo flight stated the student pilot was not authorized to land at the accident airport. The operator stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N737TR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269667
- Engines: Lycoming 0-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Avion Air Academy
- Registered owner: Avion Air Academy, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: GNV, Gainesville, FL
- Destination: LEE, Leesburg, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LEE, Leesburg Regional Airport, runway 13, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 44; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: LEE

## 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 20060316003049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060316003049A), Mar 16, 2006: Cessna 172N, Leesburg, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot performing touch and go's at Leesburg, Florida and upon landing the aircraft veered hard left striking the taxi light ripping the right…

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.