# NTSB WPR10CA013: Cessna 172H, N51302, Tucson, AZ, October 10, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2009, 10:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.115833, -110.940834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1158&lon=-110.9408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74887/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74887 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of automation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had performed two touch-and-go takeoffs and landings without incident. On the third landing, he noted the wind was straight down the runway. After touchdown, the pilot added power and raised the flaps for takeoff. Within a few seconds the airplane veered sharply to the left and he attempted to correct back to the runway. He observed taxiway lights and a large sign on his right side. The pilot stated that he did not want to damage the airplane by making an abrupt maneuver toward the runway, so he steered the airplane to the left and away from the sign; however, the tail section struck the sign. The airplane departed the runway and came to a stop in the field. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator had sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had performed two touch-and-go takeoffs and landings without incident. On the third landing, he noted the wind was straight down the runway. After touchdown, the pilot added power and raised the flaps for takeoff. Within a few seconds the airplane veered sharply to the left and he attempted to correct back to the runway. He observed taxiway lights and a large sign on his right side. The pilot stated that he did not want to damage the airplane by making an abrupt maneuver toward the runway, so he steered the airplane to the left and away from the sign; however, the tail section struck the sign. The airplane departed the runway and came to a stop in the field. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the elevator had sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51302](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51302-2017-03-03), registration cancelled 2017-03-03, S/N 17264234, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264234 - Airframe hours: 6340 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sonoran Wings Flight Training Centre - Registered owner: El Chorlavi Enterprises LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 2009, 63 hours before - Departed: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Destination: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Airport: TUS, Tucson International Airport, runway 11R, 8,408 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 29 in this make and model, 18 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: TUS ## 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 20091010022209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091010022209A), Oct 10, 2009: Cessna 172M, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Mr. Matthew henkel was performing touch and go landings. The power was at idle and the flaps were set to 30 degrees. During one of the landings he stated the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74887. 572 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 572 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320879&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.