# NTSB NYC05LA034: Cessna 172R, N9962F, Smoketown, PA, December 30, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 30, 2004, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Smoketown, PA - Coordinates: 40.04111, -76.201385 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0411&lon=-76.2014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-13 - NTSB case key (mKey): 60798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60798/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis The pilot boarded three passengers, and taxied to a 2,400-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot initiated a takeoff roll, and rotated the airplane at 55 knots, but it did not become airborne. The airplane veered left and traveled off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and brake, but the airplane continued left and struck a parked airplane. The airplane then struck a fence and two parked vehicles before coming to rest upright in an adjacent parking lot. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 2004, about 1235 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172R, N9962F, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Smoketown Airport (S37), Smoketown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured, while one passenger 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 reported that he received his private pilot certificate in July, 2004, and had accumulated about 64 hours of total flight experience. On December 28, the pilot received a 1.4-hour "check-out" flight in the accident airplane. On December 29, the pilot received a .7-hour "check-out" flight in the accident airplane, and was then authorized to rent the airplane. On the day of the accident, the pilot boarded three passengers, and taxied to runway 28; a 2,400-foot-long, 50-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot initiated a takeoff roll, and rotated the airplane at 55 knots, but it did not become airborne. The airplane veered left and traveled off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and brake, but the airplane continued left and struck a parked airplane. The airplane then struck a fence and two parked vehicles before coming to rest upright in an adjacent parking lot. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The reported wind at an airport about 7 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1253, was from 090 degrees at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9962F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9962F-2007-01-23), registration cancelled 2007-01-23, S/N 17280196, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280169 - Airframe hours: 1965 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Aero-Tech Services - Registered owner: Elvin R. Engel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2004, 50 hours before - Departed: S37, Smoketown, PA - Destination: S37 - Airport: S37, Smoketown Airport, runway 28, 2,400 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 2 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.43 inHg - Observed at: LNS, 7 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 20041230033509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041230033509A), Dec 30, 2004: Cessna 172R, Smoketown, PA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot was low time, (2.0) hours in the Cessna-172. The Cessna 172 was approximately 15 lbs. Under gross takeoff weight. Pilot rotated at 55 KTS. 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.