# NTSB NYC08CA269: Cessna 172M, N73594, Jefferson, NC, August 3, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 3, 2008, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Jefferson, NC
- Coordinates: 36.43222, -81.419723
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4322&lon=-81.4197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA269

## Probable cause

A loss of directional control during the takeoff roll for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the event was the descending embankment adjacent to the runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The solo student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings to a full stop in the Cessna 172M on runway 28. He stated that the automated weather station reported winds of 3 to 4 knots from 290 degrees. He completed three takeoffs and landings uneventfully, and taxied back for a fourth departure. The pre-takeoff checks were normal, and the pilot added power for the zero-flap takeoff. When the airplane speed was approximately 45 to 50 knots, the airplane "pulled hard to the left." The pilot aborted the takeoff by retarding the power. The airplane departed the left side of the paved runway surface, skidded through the grass, and descended an embankment, where it rolled over and came to rest inverted. The pilot shut down the airplane, and exited unassisted. There was no fire. The pilot had approximately 26 total hours of flight experience, and approximately 20 hours in the accident airplane. The pilot stated he thought there was a possible mechanical problem with the airplane, like a "detached rudder cable." The Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not examine the airplane for flight control continuity during his on-scene examination. The certificated flight instructor/owner, who was also the mechanic for the airplane, stated that he did not find any mechanical problems with the airplane after the accident.

## Factual narrative

The solo student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings to a full stop in the Cessna 172M on runway 28. He stated that the automated weather station reported winds of 3 to 4 knots from 290 degrees. He completed three takeoffs and landings uneventfully, and taxied back for a fourth departure. The pre-takeoff checks were normal, and the pilot added power for the zero-flap takeoff. When the airplane speed was approximately 45 to 50 knots, the airplane "pulled hard to the left." The pilot aborted the takeoff by retarding the power. The airplane departed the left side of the paved runway surface, skidded through the grass, and descended an embankment, where it rolled over and came to rest inverted. The pilot shut down the airplane, and exited unassisted. There was no fire. The pilot had approximately 26 total hours of flight experience, and approximately 20 hours in the accident airplane. The pilot stated he thought there was a possible mechanical problem with the airplane, like a "detached rudder cable." The Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not examine the airplane for flight control continuity during his on-scene examination. The certificated flight instructor/owner, who was also the mechanic for the airplane, stated that he did not find any mechanical problems with the airplane after the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73594](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73594-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N 17267566, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- 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: 17267566
- Airframe hours: 11384
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Taxi Of Sw Virginia Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2007, 77 hours before
- Departed: GEV
- Destination: GEV
- Airport: GEV, Ashe County Airport, runway 28, 4,293 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: GEV

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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