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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 6, 1998 · Cessna 172N · N739ZA

Olive Branch, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 6, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Olive Branch, MS
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739ZA
Operator
Douglas Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL98LA094

According to the student pilot, on the eighth departure from runway 18, the plane began to drift to the left. He applied right rudder to correct but the airplane continued to drift to the left. According to the FAA, the student pilot was conducting his second supervised solo flight, when he departed the left side of runway 18 on takeoff, and substantially damaged the airplane after impacting a ditch and small trees.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On July 6, 1998, about 0755 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739ZA, collided with a ditch and trees during takeoff from the Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi. The local flight was operated by Douglas Aviation, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the instructional, solo flight. There were no injuries to the student pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The local flight originated from the same airport about 0725. According to the pilot, he had completed 7 touch and go landings, the first three with the flight instructor, and the last four solo. On the eighth departure from runway 18, the airplane veered left and departed the runway. Recovery attempts by the student were unsuccessful. The nose wheel contacted a ditch and the airplane nosed over. According to the FAA, the student pilot was conducting his second supervised solo flight, when he departed the left side of runway 18 on takeoff, and substantially damaged the airplane after impacting a ditch and small trees.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:55 CDT
Nearest AirportOlive Branch (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739ZA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDouglas Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data