# NTSB NYC00LA256: Cessna 172P, N9594L, Cross Keys, NJ, September 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 2000, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Cross Keys, NJ - Location: 39.7055° N, 75.0330° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CROSS KEYS (17N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7055&lon=-75.0330&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 87-20-03 R2](https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-20-03-R2) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 50214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA256 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50214/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=50214 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA256 ## Probable cause The operator's inadequate 100-hour inspection of the airplane, and the pilot's continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment. ## 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 - fuselage,seat - failure - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company/operator management (cause) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff ## Analysis During takeoff, the pilot's seat slid rearward. He aborted the takeoff, locked his seat into a proper position, and taxied back for another takeoff attempt. He then performed two takeoff and landings uneventfully. During the third takeoff, his seat slid rearward again. The pilot grabbed the yoke and attempted to pull himself forward. The airplane climbed, stalled, and struck the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the holes in the seat tracks were worn and oblong. The airplane had flown about 37 hours since the last 100-hour inspection, when the seat tracks were required to be inspected. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 2000, about 1015 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172P, N9594L, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Cross Keys Airport (17N), Cross Keys, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he was flying from the front right seat, practicing for his certified flight instructor practical test. He initially departed 17N, about 0915. During the takeoff roll, his seat slid rearward. The pilot aborted the takeoff, and locked the seat into position. He then taxied the airplane back and departed uneventfully. The pilot performed some maneuvers, and landed at Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey. He departed MIV uneventfully and landed at 17N, about 1010. He taxied the airplane back to the active runway, and initiated a takeoff roll. During the takeoff roll, his seat slid rearward again. The pilot "...attempted to reach the controls using the yoke. The plane lifted off, stalled, and descended-crashing." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the airplane initially climbed 20-30 feet, then "cartwheeled" along the left wing. It struck two parked airplanes before coming to rest on the airport, and a post crash fire ensued. The inspector examined the holes in the right front seat tracks. He stated the holes were worn and oblong. The airplane had approximately 37 hours of operation since the last 100-hour inspection, performed on August 17, 2000. FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 87-20-03 pertains to the make and model accident airplane. The AD requires the seat tracks and seat rollers to be inspected after every 100 hours of operation, in airplanes that are operated for hire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9594L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9594L-2009-09-22), registration cancelled 2009-09-22, S/N 17276587, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276587 - Airframe hours: 10514 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lewis Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 17, 2000, 37 hours before - Departed: 17N - Airport: 17N, Cross Keys Airport, runway 27, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 831 total, 639 in this make and model, 806 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PHL, 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 20000908043859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000908043859A), Sep 8, 2000: Cessna 172P, Cross Keys, NJ, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was practicing for his CFI. He had begun practicing maneuvers for about 1 hour and was on take-off roll on rwy 27, Cross Keys, NJ when his seat… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2001, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=50214. 542 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 490 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411785&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF 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.