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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 15, 2003 · Cessna 172F · N5204F

Columbus, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Columbus, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 172F
Tail Number
N5204F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI04LA012

The airplane nosed over during an aborted takeoff on runway 14. The student pilot reported he was planning on making a touch and go landing, but he had a difficult time controlling the airplane because of the crosswind, so he elected to make a full stop landing. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot reported, the airplane was pulling to the left so he aborted the takeoff at an airspeed of 45 knots. The airplane departed the left side of the runway approximately 2,600 feet from the threshold at the approach end of runway 14. It traveled about 320 feet through a grass area then an additional 100 feet through a wheat field. Tire marks indicate that once the airplane contacted the wheat field, it began to slide to the right. The right wing contacted the terrain and the airplane flipped over coming to rest approximately 480 feet from the runway. The airplane came to rest inverted on a heading of 360 degrees. Inspection of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the loss of directional control. The winds reported at OLU at 1455 were from 70 degrees at 13 knots. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the student pilot reported having 15 hours of flight time on the application for this third class airmen medical certificate which was dated September 5, 2003.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind condition, the delayed aborted takeoff, and the student's lack of experience.

Full Narrative

On October 15, 2003, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N5204F, nosed over during an aborted takeoff on runway 14 (6,800 feet by 100 feet, concrete) at the Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU), Columbus, Nebraska. The student pilot received a minor injury. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska. The student pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that he was planning on making a touch and go landing at OLU, but he had a difficult time controlling the airplane because of the crosswind, so he elected to make a full stop landing. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot reported, the airplane was pulling to the left so he aborted the takeoff at an airspeed of 45 knots. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and eventually nosed over. This was the student pilot's first solo cross-country flight. A FAA inspector reported that the airplane departed the left side of the runway approximately 2,600 feet from the threshold at the approach end of runway 14. The inspector stated the airplane traveled about 320 feet through a grass area then an additional 100 feet through a wheat field. Tire marks indicate that once the airplane contacted the wheat field, it began to slide to the right. The right wing contacted the terrain and the airplane flipped over coming to rest approximately 480 feet from the runway. The inspector reported that the aircraft came to rest inverted on a heading of 360 degrees. Inspection of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction which would have resulted in the loss of directional control.. The winds reported at OLU at 1455 were from 70 degrees at 13 knots. According to FAA records, the student pilot reported having 15 hours of flight time on the application for this third class airmen medical certificate which was dated September 5, 2003.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportColumbus Municipal (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length6800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172F
Tail NumberN5204F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 37 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data