# NTSB NYC82DA072: Cessna 172N, N4940G, Trenton, NJ, April 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1982, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Trenton, NJ
- Location: 40.2767° N, 74.8135° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRENTON MERCER (TTN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2767&lon=-74.8135&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA072

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - trim setting - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A DEPARTURE, THE PILOT INITIATED AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF WITH ABOUT 4000 FT OF RUNWAY REMAINING. HE REPORTED THAT THE TAKEOFF PROCEEDED NORMALLY THROUGH LIFT-OFF TO ABOUT 25 FT AGL. FROM THERE, THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO THE RUNWAY SURFACE AND BOUNCED. ELECTING TO ABORT, THE PILOT REDUCED POWER, BUT THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED AT LEAST TWO MORE TIMES, THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT. IT CONTINUED OFF OF THE RUNWAY AT THE DEPARTURE END, RAN DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND FLIPPED OVER. AN INSPECTION OF THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB REVEALED THAT IT WAS DEFLECTED TWO INCHES TOWARD A NOSE DOWN POSITION. A FULL NOSE DOWN DEFLECTION IS 3 3/16 INCHES, WHEREAS THE TAB IS IN A NEUTRAL POSITION WHEN TRIMMED FOR TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4940G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4940G), registered now, S/N 17273487 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273487
- Airframe hours: 773
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mcdan Aviation
- Registered owner: Phyllis Jalbert
- Departed: TTN, TRENTON, NJ
- Destination: COW, CALDWELL, NJ
- Airport: TTN, Mercer County, runway 16, 4,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 550 total, 47 in this make and model, 474 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## 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 19820415009889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820415009889A), Apr 15, 1982: Cessna 172N, Trenton, NJ, Substantial damage. Failed to climb on liftoff. Aborted, bounced off end of runway. Pilot had elevator trim in nose down range.

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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