# NTSB MIA08CA045: Cessna 172P, N5425K, Northampton, MA, December 26, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 26, 2007, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Northampton, MA
- Coordinates: 42.328056, -72.611389
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3281&lon=-72.6114&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA045

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll and inadequate supervision by the CFI.

## 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, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

The flight instructor stated that the student was to perform a short field takeoff. The student aligned the airplane on the centerline of the runway, applied the brakes, and increased engine power. The brakes were released and the airplane began the takeoff roll. The airplane suddenly veered off the centerline and struck a snow bank off the left side of the runway. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor stated that the student was to perform a short field takeoff. The student aligned the airplane on the centerline of the runway, applied the brakes, and increased engine power. The brakes were released and the airplane began the takeoff roll. The airplane suddenly veered off the centerline and struck a snow bank off the left side of the runway. The flight instructor stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5425K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5425K), registered now, S/N 17274106 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274106
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Michael L. Foy, doing business as Five Star Flight Academy
- Registered owner: Five Star Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KBAF, Northampton, MA
- Destination: Northampton, MA
- Airport: K7B2, Northampton, runway 32, 3,365 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 16; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,609 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 95 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 16; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 80 total, 78 in this make and model, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: KBAF

## 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 20071226831289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071226831289A), Dec 26, 2007: Cessna 172P, Northampton, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) While practicing short field take offs, aircraft veered to left of runway 32 and contacted snow off runway. Aircraft continued to head into snow and left…

## Other investigations on N5425K (1)

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 NYC04CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA102), Apr 9, 2004: Cessna 172P (N5425K), Westfield, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper flare and his failure to maintain aircraft control while landing.

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.

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