- Date
- August 14, 2012, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place
- Everett, WA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N863CPCessna 172R
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 26, 2012
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Western Pacific Region
- Parties
- FAA FSDO
- FAA report
- 20120814016439A
- Case key
- 84664
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The student pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. The landing that immediately preceded the accident was uneventful; however, as the airplane accelerated for takeoff, it veered to the left. Despite the pilot’s control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the left and struck a runway sign, substantially damaging the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The student pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. The landing was uneventful; however, as the airplane accelerated for takeoff, it veered to the left. Despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the left and struck a runway sign, substantially damaging the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N863CP
- Reported as
- Cessna 172R
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17280588
- Engine
- Lycoming IO - 360, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Northway
- Registered owner
- Northway
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- PAE · Everett, WA
- Destination
- PAE · Everett, WA
- Airport
- PAE · Snohomish County Airport, runway 16R, 9,010 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Student pilot
- Age
- 39
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Student
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 79 total · 79 in this make and model · 79 as pilot in command · 19 in the last 90 days · 12 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature
- 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PAE
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2012, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.5 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.