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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 18, 1995 · Cessna 172N · N4915D

Napa, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Napa, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N4915D
Operator
Bridgeford Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA256

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO SWERVE ON THE RUNWAY. HE SAID ONE FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE RUDDER PEDAL WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO CORRECT THE AIRCRAFT HEADING AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT THEN VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND ENCOUNTERED SOFT SOIL, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE FIREWALL AND RIGHT WING SPAR SUFFERED DAMAGE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT SAID HE BELIEVES THAT WHEN HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE RUDDER PEDAL HE MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY 'TOUCHED ONE BRAKE, WHICH MADE THE SWERVE WORSE.'

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft after one foot slipped off the rudder pedals, and his inadvertent application of asymmetrical brake forces.

Full Narrative

On July 17, 1995, at 2100 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4915D, veered off runway 18R while landing at Napa, California, and damaged the wing and firewall during an encounter with soft soil. The aircraft was owned by Bridgeford Flying Service of Napa, and was rented by the pilot for a cross-country personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Redding, California, about 1945 hours as the return leg of a round robin cross-country flight from Napa to Redding. In his statement, the pilot reported that after touchdown a gust of wind caused the aircraft to swerve on the runway. He said one foot slipped off the rudder pedal while he was trying to correct the aircraft heading and he lost directional control. The aircraft then veered left off the runway and encountered soft soil, collapsing the nose gear. The firewall and right wing spar suffered damage during the accident. The pilot said he believes that when his foot slipped off the rudder pedal he may have inadvertently "touched one brake, which made the swerve worse."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 PDT
Nearest AirportNapa County (0nm)
Runway18R
Runway Length5931 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN4915D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBridgeford Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind200° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data