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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

October 17, 2002 · Cessna 172 · N903WA

Opa Locka, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Opa Locka, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N903WA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03LA005

The certified flight instructor (CFI), who was flying the airplane, and the student pilot were conducting touch-and-go landings to runway 27. They had completed three touch-and-go procedures and were on the fourth takeoff when an updraft lifted the airplane off the runway. The student pilot reported that the airplane ballooned into the air and came down "hard" on to the runway. The airplane also collided with a runway light and the right wing tip was also damaged. The CFI did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The nearest weather reporting facility, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reported prevailing winds from 050 degrees at 14 knots at the time of the accident. The CFI obtained weather information from Opa Locka Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS)

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot' inadequate evaluation of weather information, and the selection of the wrong runway that resulted in an attempted takeoff with a tailwind and the subsequent loss of control during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On October 17 at 1634 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N903WA, registered to and operated by Wayman Aviation Services Inc., collided with the ground during a training flight at the Opa Locka Airport in Opa Locka, Florida. The instructional flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. The flight departed time from Opa Locka, Florida, at 1610, on October 17, 2002. According to the CFI, who was flying the airplane, they were conducting touch-and-go landings to runway 27. They had completed three touch-and-go procedures and were on the fourth takeoff when an updraft lifted the airplane off the runway. The student pilot reported that the airplane ballooned into the air and came down "hard" on to the runway. The airplane also collided with a runway light and the right wing tip was also damaged. The CFI did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. The nearest weather reporting facility, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reported the prevailing winds from 050 degrees at 14 knots at the time of the accident. The CFI obtained weather information from Opa Locka Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS) before the first takeoff. the directional control was lost and the airplane collided with the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:34 EDT
Nearest AirportOPALOCKA (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4306 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN903WA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · O-320-HZAD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data