# NTSB NYC96LA046: Cessna 172N, N733CL, Wildwood, NJ, December 30, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1995, 12:06 local (17:06 UTC)
- Place: Wildwood, NJ
- Location: 39.0084° N, 74.9085° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CAPE MAY COUNTY (WWD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0084&lon=-74.9085&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA046

## Probable cause

failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane.  Factors relating to the accident were: the student's selection of the wrong runway, and the crosswind condition.

## 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
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll with a left crosswind, the airplane drifted right, departed the runway, and struck a dirt berm. The student pilot had been informed of a change in the active runway from runway 28 to runway 19.  This was acknowledged by the student pilot, who then elected to depart on runway 28.  The wind was reported to be from 190 degrees at 7 knots.

## Factual narrative

On December 30, 1995, at 1206 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N733CL, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at the Cape May County Airport, Wildwood, New Jersey.  The student pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed, but not opened, for the supervised solo instructional flight which was operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91.

During the takeoff roll, with a left crosswind, the airplane drifted right, departed the runway and struck a dirt berm.

The FAA reported that the pilot was informed of a change in active runways from runway 28 to runway 19.  This was acknowledged by the student pilot, who then elected to depart on runway 28.  The reported winds were from 190 degrees, at 7 knots.  The pilot's total flight time was 63 hours, with 63 hours in this make and model airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N733CL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268190
- Airframe hours: 5339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Century Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1995, 77 hours before
- Destination: WWD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: WWD, Wildwood/Cape May, runway 28, 4,998 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WWD

## 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 19951230042839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951230042839A), Dec 30, 1995: Cessna 172N, Wildwood, NJ, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff due drifting in crosswind. Aborted. Ran off side runway. Struck a dirt berm.

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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