# NTSB MIA07CA099: Cessna 172K, N79941, Emporia, VA, May 14, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2007, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Emporia, VA - Coordinates: 36.686943, -77.48278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6869&lon=-77.4828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65802/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA099 ## Probable cause The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll resulting in the on-ground collision with a ditch. ## 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 - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot lost control of the airplane during the takeoff roll from runway 33. The wind at the time was from 140 degrees at 4 knots. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and traveled into a ditch. Postaccident examination of the left brake, and wheel assembly revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll he had right rudder input applied to counter the left turning tendency and upon achieving 45 miles-per-hour, the airplane "...violently pulled hard left and exited the runway onto the grass field then proceeded to come to rest in a ditch adjacent to the runway." Examination of the runway by the FAA inspector-in-charge revealed tire marks associated with "...tire skidding..." from both main landing gear tires beginning approximately 700 feet down the runway. The mark from the left main landing gear tire showed evidence of "'...chirping or skipping' due to heavy braking (locked up)..." for approximately 75 feet before becoming a continuous black mark in length. The mark from the right main landing gear also indicates evidence of heavy braking but did not leave any indication of being locked up. The marks on the runway from the landing gear tires veered to the left and the mark from the left main landing gear stops approximately 30 feet before the edge of the runway, while the mark from the right main landing gear tire continued showing signs of heavy braking. Impact damage to the 1,000 foot remaining sign was noted, and the airplane traveled off the runway onto grass, and collided with a ditch. Postaccident operational testing of the left brake assembly revealed no discrepancies. No brake drag was noted upon release of the left brake. The left main landing gear tire appeared new, and there was no scrapes or scuff marks on the tire. Inspection of the left brake rotor revealed no evidence of warping, and the brake pads appeared new. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79941](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79941), registered now, S/N 17258268, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258268 - Airframe hours: 2074 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Larry O. Blair - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2006 - Departed: KEMV, Emporia, VA - Destination: W03, Wilson, NC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KEMV, Emporia-Greensville Regional, runway 33, 5,044 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 25 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KEMV ## 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 20070514007909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070514007909A), May 14, 2007: Cessna 172K, Emporia, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) During the takeoff roll, the student pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway, impacting the… 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.