# NTSB MIA98LA142: Cessna 172RG, N9303D, Sanford, FL, April 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 1998, 07:18 local (11:18 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL - Coordinates: 28.779718, -81.270706 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7797&lon=-81.2707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38506 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38506/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA142 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the student by the CFI-PIC while performing a soft field takeoff. ## Analysis The CFI-PIC stated that the CFI-trainee was performing a soft field takeoff with a 6 knot tailwind, and after rotation while attempting to accelerate, the airplane began veering to the left. He applied full right rudder input but the left turn continued. The CFI-PIC then reduced power, the right wing dropped, and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest upright 180-degrees from the departure runway heading. Examination of the aileron and elevator flight control cables revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Impact damage to the airplane precluded determination of rigging of the aileron flight controls. According to another student of the flight school, while performing power-on and power-off stalls, full right rudder would not hold directional control and the left wing would stall first. Review of the airplane squawk sheets for the airplane revealed no discrepancies noted for the aileron flight controls. The engine was removed from the airplane, the impact damaged propeller was replaced, and the engine was started and found to operate normally. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 1998, about 0718 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9303D, registered to and operated by Comair Aviation Academy, Inc., collided with terrain while descending shortly after takeoff, from the Central Florida Regional Airport, Sanford, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI-PIC) and pilot-rated student (CFI trainee) sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The CFI-PIC stated that the planned flight was lesson 17 of 18, and he pre-briefed the CFI trainee that he was to perform a soft field takeoff. The CFI trainee performed a preflight of the airplane, started the engine, and performed an engine run-up before takeoff. During the takeoff with the CFI trainee manipulating the controls, full power then full aft elevator control input was applied. The airplane climbed to a maximum height of about 20 feet above ground level, then the CFI trainee lowered the nose to accelerate in ground effect. The CFI-PIC noted that the airplane was veering to the left and applied full right rudder. He then reduced power and the right wing dropped and impacted the ground, followed by the left wing. The airplane then came to rest upright about 180 degrees from the original heading. The CFI-PIC further stated that he did not look at the airspeed indicator which was on his side of the instrument panel and knew the flight was departing with a reported 6 knot tailwind. According to the Director of Operations for the airport, the airplane impacted on grass about 650 feet north of the runway and 2,200 feet from the runway threshold. Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the aileron or elevator flight control cables. Additionally, the engine was removed from the airplane and the impact damaged propeller was replaced. The engine was started and found to operate normally. No determination could be made as to the rigging of the aileron flight controls due to the damage to both wings. According to the manager of maintenance operations, review of the aircraft logbook and the aircraft discrepancy write-up sheets from the day of the accident to April 16, 1997, revealed no entries pertaining to the aileron flight control system. According to another student of the flight school, when flying this airplane and performing power-on and power-off stalls, full right rudder would not hold directional control and the left wing would stall first. A weather observation taken at the airport about 4 minutes before the accident indicates in part that the wind was from 280 degrees at 6 knots. The flight was departing from runway 9R. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - flight control,aileron - undetermined - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, dual student - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9303D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9303D-1999-10-15), registration cancelled 1999-10-15, S/N 172RG1113 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG1113 - Airframe hours: 5977 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Comair Aviation Academy, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 1998, 8 hours before - Departed: SFB - Airport: SFB, Central Florida Regional, runway 9R, 3,578 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 998 total, 156 in this make and model, 941 as pilot in command, 281 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SFB ## 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 19980424028209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980424028209A), Apr 24, 1998: Cessna 172RG, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. The cfi-pic stated that the CFI trainee was performing a soft field takeoff with a 6 knot tailwind, and after rotation while attempting to accelerate, the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.