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NTSB Report

November 5, 2002 · Cessna 172M · N13265

Mesquite, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mesquite, NV
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N13265
Operator
West Air Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA023

During an attempted takeoff, the student pilot lost directional control of the airplane and it veered off the side of the runway, collided with a ditch, and nosed over. The accident occurred during the student's first solo cross-country flight. According to the student, she had made a normal approach and landing on runway 19. Thereafter, she retracted the wing flaps and applied full engine power to take off. At this moment, the airplane began turning left, and she attempted to correct its course by applying pressure to the right rudder pedal. The student was unsuccessful in redirecting the airplane onto its proper course down the 75-foot-wide by 5,100-foot-long runway under the prevailing calm wind condition. The student's CFI opined that his student may not have applied sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the airplane's left turning tendency after the application of engine power. At the time of the accident, the student's total solo flight time, and total time, was 4.2 and 25.3 hours, respectively.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. A contributing factor was the ditch.

Full Narrative

On November 5, 2002, about 1515 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172M, N13265, veered off the runway and nosed over during an attempted takeoff from the Mesquite (uncontrolled) Airport, Mesquite, Nevada. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by West Air Aviation, North Las Vegas, Nevada, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the solo instructional flight. The flight originated from North Las Vegas about 1435. The student pilot and her certified flight instructor (CFI) were interviewed by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator. They reported that the accident occurred during the student's first solo cross-country flight. The student had previously landed at the accident airport with her CFI, and she had received a 90-day logbook endorsement to return to the airport. The student stated that she entered the airport's traffic pattern and made a normal approach to runway 19. She intended to perform a touch-and-go landing. According to the student, following her unremarkable touchdown, she retracted the wing flaps and applied full engine power to take off. At this moment, the airplane began turning left, and she attempted to correct its course by applying pressure to the right rudder pedal. However, the airplane's course continued toward the left. The airplane overran the left side of the runway, collided with a ditch and nosed over. The CFI opined that his student may not have applied sufficient right rudder pressure to counteract the airplane's left turning tendency after the application of engine power. At the time of the accident, the student's total solo flight time, and total time, was 4.2 and 25.3 hours, respectively. Runway 19 is 5,100 feet long and 75 feet wide. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident the local wind was calm.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 PST
Nearest AirportMESQUITE (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN13265
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWest Air Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 14 C
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data