# NTSB NYC96LA149: Cessna 172P, N98730, Fairfield, NJ, July 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1996, 21:30 local (Jul 13, 1996, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Fairfield, NJ - Location: 40.8752° N, 74.2814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ESSEX COUNTY (CDW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8752&lon=-74.2814&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39217/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA149 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper aborted takeoff by extending full flaps which resulted in a porpoise. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the runway and the nose gear collapsed. ## 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 - aborted takeoff - improper, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - runway - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the control wheel would not move aft, and the pilot performed an aborted takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the pilot reduced power, and extended full flaps. The airplane then porpoised and veered off the runway collapsing the nose gear. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions. The Pilot's Operating Handbook, stated to retract the flaps when aborting the takeoff. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1996 about 2130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N98730, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at the Essex County Airport, Fairfield, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he had performed two previous takeoff and landings. During a third takeoff, the control wheel would not move aft, and he aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, the airplane porpoised and veered off the runway, where the nose gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the ground. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot reported that during the aborted takeoff, he reduced power and extended full flaps. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed no evidence of malfunctions with the airplane. In the Pilot's Operating Handbook, in the emergency procedures, for engine failure during takeoff run, it stated to 1. Throttle-IDLE. 2. Brakes-APPLY. 3. Wing Flaps-RETRACT. . . . The amplified procedures further stated: ". . .the most important thing to do is stop the airplane on the remaining runway. . . ." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N98730](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98730-2006-09-21), registration cancelled 2006-09-21, S/N 17276340, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276340 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mac Dan Aircraft Rental Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CDW - Airport: CDW, Essex County, runway 22, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 71 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CDW ## 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 19960712016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960712016699A), Jul 12, 1996: Cessna 172P, Fairfield, NJ, Substantial damage. Crashed on takeoff. ## Other investigations on N98730 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC05LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA125), Jul 28, 2005: Cessna 172P (N98730), Caldwell, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was a partial loss of engine power, as reported by the pilot, for undetermined reasons. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.