# NTSB MIA95LA006: Cessna 172-F, N8356U, Clearwater, FL, October 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1994, 14:56 local (18:56 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9086° N, 82.6865° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ST PETE-CLEARWATER INTL (PIE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9086&lon=-82.6865&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA006

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF AFTER A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A LEFT CROSSWIND. HE STATED HE LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE NOSE WHEEL DUG IN THE SOD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On October 15, 1994, about 1456 eastern daylight time, N8356U, a Cessna C172F crashed on takeoff attempt at Clearwater, Florida, Pinellas Airport, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was registered to Frank P. Bauer. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The student pilot reported no injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight had originated about 30 minutes earlier.

The student pilot was cleared for multiple touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. After landing the third time the student attempted the takeoff and lost control of the airplane on the ground in a crosswind. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, dug in soft sod, and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8356U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8356U), registered now, S/N 17252256, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172-F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52256
- Airframe hours: 2442
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Valenti, Wayne A
- Registered owner: Bauer, Frank P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 19, 1994, 45 hours before
- Airport: PIE, Clearwater Intl., runway 4, 5,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE

## 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 19941015034989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941015034989A), Oct 15, 1994: Cessna 172F, St Petersburg-C, FL, Substantial damage. Student lost control on crosswind takeoff. Left the runway into soft sod and nosed over. Too much wind for student.

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.