# NTSB MIA97LA165: Cessna 172, N9504H, Vero Beach, FL, May 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1997, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Vero Beach, FL - Coordinates: 27.639137, -80.389083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6391&lon=-80.3891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38280/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA165 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to ensure all articles in the aircraft were secured before flight, and subsequently, an oil can becoming lodged under the rudder pedals and preventing her from controlling the aircraft during landing. ## 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 - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flight control,rudder - foreign object (cause) - flight control,rudder - jammed (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis During landing rollout, the pilot was unable to control the aircraft using rudder and wheel brake controls. The aircraft went off the side of the runway and turned around toward the runway as it came to rest. After the aircraft stopped the pilot found a 1 quart can of engine oil lodged under the left rudder pedal. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1997, about 1405 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9504H, registered to an individual, ran off the runway while landing at Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Vero Beach, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Key West, Florida, the same day, about 1100. The pilot stated that after landing on runway 11 left, she was unable to control the aircraft using the rudder pedals and wheel brakes. The rudder pedals seemed not to be working. The aircraft swerved to the left and went off the side of the runway. The aircraft then made a right turn and came to rest facing the runway. After the accident she found a 1-quart oil can under the left rudder pedal, which she believes slipped forward from the back seat area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9504H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9504H), registered now, S/N 17266184, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266184 - Airframe hours: 3714 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Victoria L. Weaver - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1996, 124 hours before - Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL - Airport: VRB, Vero Beach, runway 11L, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 265 total, 57 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VRB, 1 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 19970514014339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970514014339A), May 14, 1997: Cessna 172M, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Rudder blocked landing. Ran off side runway. Ground looped. Oil can rolled under left pedal from back floor area. (-23) aircraft was operated contrary to FAR… ## Other investigations on N9504H (2) 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 WPR09CA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA206), Apr 21, 2009: Cessna 172M (N9504H), Corona, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare. - [NTSB FTW79DRA18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRA18), Apr 16, 1979: Cessna 172 (N9504H), Tomball, TX, substantial damage 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.