# NTSB NYC92LA004: Cessna 172, N739LT, Toledo, OH, October 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1991, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Toledo, OH
- Coordinates: 41.600494, -83.63034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6005&lon=-83.6303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37086
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37086/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PREFORM AN AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT, AND REMOVE THE GUST LOCK FROM THE AILERON, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL DURING INITIAL CLIMB.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,gust lock - not removed (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE FORGOT TO TAKE THE GUST LOCK OFF THE RIGHT AILERON.  THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, STARTED TO TURN LEFT, AND STRUCK A FENCE NEAR THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739LT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739LT), registered now, S/N 17270634, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17270634
- Airframe hours: 1513
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Edward Cook
- Registered owner: Joseph Edward Cook
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 1991, 4 hours before
- Airport: TDZ, Teledo/Metcalf, runway 32, 4,223 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,548 total, 1,123 in this make and model, 1,548 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °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 19911010045609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911010045609A), Oct 10, 1991: Cessna 172N, Toledo, OH, Substantial damage. Took off with right aileron control lock in place. Made left uncontrolled turn into airport fence.

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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