# NTSB WPR11CA008: Cessna 172N, N545DS, Salem, OR, October 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 2, 2010, 15:38 local (22:38 UTC) - Place: Salem, OR - Coordinates: 44.924999, -123 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9250&lon=-123.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77536/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77536 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA008 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, he planned to practice solo takeoffs and landings at the airplane's base airport. He reported that he made the initial takeoff on runway 34, and completed a right-hand circuit of the traffic pattern. On final approach, he increased the flap setting to 30 degrees. After main gear touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot reported that he attempted to correct the drift with rudder input, but there was "no effect," prior and subsequent to nose gear touchdown. The pilot determined that the brakes were functional, but he chose not to use them to assist with directional control, due to his concern about causing "the airplane to cartwheel." About 2,000 feet beyond the landing threshold, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, and struck a runway sign. The pilot was uninjured, but the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot also reported that at the time of the accident, the winds were from 350 degrees at 3 knots. The automated weather observation taken about 18 minutes after the accident included winds from 340 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot stated that the preflight inspection, takeoff, and traffic pattern were normal, and he had no reason to believe the airplane malfunctioned. Post-accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-accident mechanical anomalies, and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that the rudder, nose wheel steering, and brake systems appeared to be functional. The pilot reported 44 total hours of flight experience in all aircraft. Approximately 17 hours had been accumulated in the make and model airplane involved in the accident. One hour was logged as pilot-in-command. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, he planned to practice solo takeoffs and landings at the airplane's base airport. He reported that he made the initial takeoff on runway 34, and completed a right-hand circuit of the traffic pattern. On final approach, he increased the flap setting to 30 degrees. After main gear touchdown, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot reported that he attempted to correct the drift with rudder input, but there was "no effect," prior and subsequent to nose gear touchdown. The pilot determined that the brakes were functional, but he chose not to use them to assist with directional control, due to his concern about causing "the airplane to cartwheel." About 2,000 feet beyond the landing threshold, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, and struck a runway sign. The pilot was uninjured, but the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot also reported that at the time of the accident, the winds were from 350 degrees at 3 knots. The automated weather observation taken about 18 minutes after the accident included winds from 340 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot stated that the preflight inspection, takeoff, and traffic pattern were normal, and he had no reason to believe the airplane malfunctioned. Post-accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-accident mechanical anomalies, and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that the rudder, nose wheel steering, and brake systems appeared to be functional. The pilot reported 44 total hours of flight experience in all aircraft. Approximately 17 hours had been accumulated in the make and model airplane involved in the accident. One hour was logged as pilot-in-command. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N545DS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N545DS), registered now, S/N 17273867, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N (N) - 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: 17373867 - Airframe hours: 4449 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Graham Aviation Services - Registered owner: Graham Aviation Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 2010, 60 hours before - Departed: SLE, Salem, OR - Destination: SLE, Salem, OR - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: SLE, McNary Field, runway 34, 5,145 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 44 total, 17 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: SLE ## 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 20101002047409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101002047409A), Oct 2, 2010: Cessna 172N, Salem, OR, Substantial damage. Solo student pilot making first landing in CE-172 of touch & go circuit at 65 knots on centerline. Winds 350 at 3. According to pilot he was a little high,… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 17, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77536. 842 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 488 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Aircraft Exam Notes (item 3, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Exam%20Notes-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Exam Summary (item 4, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Exam%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - METARs (item 5, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=METARs-Master.PDF - Compiled Photographs (3 total) (item 6, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40340590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Compiled%20Photographs%20(3%20total)-Master.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.