# NTSB WPR13LA180: Cessna 172, N2166K, Phoenix, AZ, April 4, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 2013, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.686668, -112.091667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6867&lon=-112.0917&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 May 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 86587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86587/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86587 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA180 ## Probable cause The student pilot's excessive directional control inputs during the takeoff roll and the flight instructor's delayed and ineffective corrective actions, which resulted in the loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the student pilot, accompanied by a passenger-observer, were conducting the instructional flight in one of their flight school's airplanes. The student pilot, who had a total flight time of 4 hours and for whom this was his fourth flight, was handling the controls. During the takeoff roll, his overcorrections caused the airplane to veer right and then left. After crossing the centerline from right to left and when the airplane was heading toward the left edge of the 100-ft-wide runway, the flight instructor took the controls but was unable to maintain airplane control. He attempted to lift off, and the airplane became airborne momentarily, but the nose dropped, the airplane banked right, and it then struck the runway. The airplane nosed over inverted and came to a stop. The pilots reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative FAA records indicated that the airplane was manufactured in 2005, and was registered to a corporation based in Phoenix. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360 series engine. According to information provided by the flight school, the airplane had accumulated a total time in service of about 3,271 hours at the time of the accident. The most recent inspection was accomplished on March 15, 2013, and the airplane had been operated about 13 hours since then. The elevation of DVT was 1,478 feet above mean sea level (msl), and runway 7R dimensions were reported as 8,196 feet by 100 feet. Coarse gravel was used as ground cover in many non-paved areas. The airport was equipped with an air traffic control tower, which was operational at the time of the accident. On April 4, 2013, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172S, N2166K, was substantially damaged when it impacted airport terrain during an attempted takeoff from Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona. The certified flight instructor (CFI), the student pilot, and the passenger-observer were uninjured. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to information provided by the CFI and the responding inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office, the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings. The student pilot was seated in the left seat, and the CFI was in the right seat. During the takeoff roll on runway 7R, the student pilot was handling the controls. After power application, he initially overcorrected with right rudder, and the airplane began to veer right. The CFI then verbally instructed the student to correct back to the left, which he did. However, again the student pilot overcorrected, and the airplane veered towards the left side of the runway, while continuing to accelerate. About the time that the airplane crossed the runway centerline from right to left, the CFI took physical control of the airplane, and as it approached the left runway edge, the CFI attempted to lift off. After liftoff, the nose "dropped," the airplane banked to the right, and struck the runway. About the same time the CFI reduced power on the engine. The airplane came to rest inverted. All occupants evacuated the airplane, and there was no fire, or any indications of a fuel spill. The DVT 0953 automated weather observation included wind from 230 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 24 degrees C, dew point 1 degree C, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of mercury. General According to information provided by Westwind School of Aeronautics (WSA), the CFI, the student pilot, the passenger, and the airplane were all associated with the flight training program at WSA, which was based at DVT. Student Pilot Examination of the student pilot's logbook indicated that he had a total flight experience of about 4hours, all of which was in the accident airplane make and model. The logbook indicated that his first instructional flight was conducted 6 days before the accident flight, and that the accident flight was his fourth flight. Certificated Flight Instructor FAA records indicated that the CFI obtained his flight instructor certificate in February 2013, and obtained his commercial certificate in August 2012. Both were valid for airplane single engine only. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued in December 2011. According to information provided by the flight school, the CFI had a total flight experience of about 308 hours, all of which was in single-engine airplanes. He had performed as a flight instructor for a total of about 57 hours, including 39 hours in the accident airplane make and model. The airplane came to rest adjacent to the south (right) side of runway 7R, about 1,450 feet from where the takeoff roll began. Site information provided by the responding FAA inspector indicated that the ground scars extended about 300 feet. The airplane veered off the left side of 7R just prior to taxiway B3, and then traversed off the right side of the runway about 150 feet beyond the left-excursion. Paint transfer marks and airplane damage were consistent with the airplane first striking the right wing and tailplane on the runway. Propeller slash marks were evident in the runway pavement. The lower section of the nose gear was fracture-separated from the strut. The nose was crushed up and aft, and the aft fuselage was crumpled slightly. Both wings, as well as the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, sustained crush damage and denting. The propeller tips exhibited significant curling. Examination of the airplane did not detect any pre-impact anomalies with any of the flight control systems, and the pilots did not report any mechanical problems or deficiencies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2166K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2166K-2013-09-25), registration cancelled 2013-09-25, S/N 172S9792, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S) - 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: 172S9792 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 3258 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Westwind School of Aeronautics - Registered owner: A&L Leasing #3 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2013, 13 hours before - Departed: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: DVT, Phoenix, AZ - Airport: DVT, Deer Valley, runway 07R, 8,196 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 309 total, 232 in this make and model, 257 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 24; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: DVT ## 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 20130404004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130404004739A), Apr 4, 2013: Cessna 172S, Phx, AZ, Substantial damage. During a part 61 training flight the student lost control of the aircraft during takeoff. The instructor took control of the aircraft and was unable to gain… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86587. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Pilot/Student Statements (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Pilot%2FStudent%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement – Chevlin (item 3, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424926&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20%E2%80%93%20Chevlin-Master.PDF - FAA Event Diagram (item 4, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Event%20Diagram-Master.PDF - METARs (item 5, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=METARs-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Front Left View (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 961 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Front%20Left%20View%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Aft View (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 647 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Aft%20View%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Nose Close Up (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Nose%20Close%20Up%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Ground Scars (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Ground%20Scars%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.