# NTSB SEA07CA243: Cessna 172S, N3544Z, Bakersfield, CA, August 29, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2007, 08:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Bakersfield, CA - Coordinates: 35.433612, -119.056945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4336&lon=-119.0569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66529 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66529/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA243 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a taxiway sign. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,taxiway sign(s) ## Analysis In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge approximately 45 minutes after the accident, the student pilot reported that after landing on Runway 30R the airplane started to veer to the left. The student pilot stated that he was trying to correct back to the right "...but the right wing went up and the airplane went off the left side of the runway." The student pilot reported that the right main landing gear failed and the airplane came to rest in an upright position about 30 feet off the runway. The student pilot stated that there was damage to the right wing tip, the right horizontal stabilizer and the right elevator. The student pilot said, "I just lost control of the airplane." In an interview with the IIC, the airport manager revealed that the airplane had impacted a taxiway sign. At 0854, the on airport automated weather facility reported wind from 170 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 30 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of Mercury. ## Factual narrative In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge approximately 45 minutes after the accident, the student pilot reported that after landing on Runway 30R the airplane started to veer to the left. The student pilot stated that he was trying to correct back to the right "...but the right wing went up and the airplane went off the left side of the runway." The student pilot reported that the right main landing gear failed and the airplane came to rest in an upright position about 30 feet off the runway. The student pilot stated that there was damage to the right wing tip, the right horizontal stabilizer and the right elevator. The student pilot said, "I just lost control of the airplane." In an interview with the IIC, the airport manager revealed that the airplane had impacted a taxiway sign. At 0854, the on airport automated weather facility reported wind from 170 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 30 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3544Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3544Z), registered now, S/N 172S8999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S8999 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Shantee P. Sabree - Registered owner: Scott Aircraft Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FAT, Fresno, CA - Destination: BFL, Bakersfield, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BFL, Meadows Field, runway 30R, 10,857 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 2; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: BFL ## 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 20070829017219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070829017219A), Aug 29, 2007: Cessna 172S, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot stated he landed normally on both mains when it felt like the aircraft was being pushed to the left before the nose wheel even touched the… ## Other investigations on N3544Z (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 LAX06CA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA174), May 18, 2006: Cessna 172S (N3544Z), Madera, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. 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.