# NTSB MIA08CA100: Cessna 172A, N9822T, Jamestown, PA, May 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2008, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Jamestown, PA - Coordinates: 41.483333, -80.433334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4833&lon=-80.4333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 68018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68018/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control after takeoff resulting in contact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning resulting in a takeoff from a short, wet, soft, runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 172A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072404), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was not aware of the length of the runway, and did not walk/survey the runway prior to the takeoff from the short, wet, soft runway. He used a combination short and soft field takeoff procedures, and after becoming airborne, the "P" factor (left turning tendency) seemed "unusually strong." He applied right aileron and rudder in an attempt to maintain directional control, but the right wing then the nose and left wing contacted the ground. The pilot further stated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane or its systems. ## Factual narrative The pilot was not aware of the length of the runway, and did not walk/survey the runway prior to the takeoff from the short, wet, soft runway. He used a combination short and soft field takeoff procedures, and after becoming airborne, the "P" factor (left turning tendency) seemed "unusually strong." He applied right aileron and rudder in an attempt to maintain directional control, but the right wing then the nose and left wing contacted the ground. The pilot further stated that there was no preimpact failure or malfunction with the airplane or its systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9822T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9822T-2019-03-07), registration cancelled 2019-03-07, S/N 47622, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172A - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47622 - Airframe hours: 2807.3 - Engines: Continental O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David W. Richerson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2007 - Departed: Jamestown, PA - Airport: runway 18, 1,500 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 104 total, 103 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: GKJ, 14 nm away ## 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 20080513839069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080513839069A), May 13, 2008: Cessna 172, Jamestown, PA, Substantial damage. (-23)On may 13, 2008, at approximately 1830 local time, the PIC attempted to depart from a wet 1500 ft grass field with two passengers and 3/4 fuel. 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.