# NTSB NYC06CA116: Cessna 172S, N642KM, Louisville, KY, May 14, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2006, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.227779, -85.663612
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2278&lon=-85.6636&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Louisville FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA116

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

## 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 student pilot was practicing a soft field takeoff from runway 24, a 4,326-foot-long, 80-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the left.  The student pilot attempted to correct the airplane's left motion with right rudder; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, and struck a parked airplane.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-accident malfunctions.  The student pilot reported 24 hours of total flight experience, all in the same make and model.  Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 240 degrees, at 6 knots.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot was practicing a soft field takeoff from runway 24, a 4,326-foot-long, 80-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to veer to the left.  The student pilot attempted to correct the airplane's left motion with right rudder; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, and struck a parked airplane.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-accident malfunctions.  The student pilot reported 24 hours of total flight experience, all in the same make and model as the accident airplane.  Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 240 degrees, at 6 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N642KM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N642KM), registered now, S/N 172S10053, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S10053
- Airframe hours: 152
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Tech, Inc
- Registered owner: Nick Hier LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2006, 30 hours before
- Departed: LOU, Louisville, KY
- Destination: LOU, Louisville, KY
- Airport: LOU, Bowman Field, runway 24, 4,326 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 43; injuries: none; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 24 total, 24 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: LOU

## 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 20060514010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060514010929A), May 14, 2006: Cessna 172S, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot stated: "attempted a soft field takeoff, front wheel came up as engine reached max RPM and nose of plane went left and I tried to correct…

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.

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