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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 16, 2003 · Cessna 172M · N64255

Sanford, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Sanford, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N64255
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA018

The student pilot stated he encountered a gust of wind on landing roll out, and lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane went off the left side of the runway, collided with a ditch, and nosed over. Review of the surface weather observation closest to the airport revealed no wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing roll resulting in a collision with a ditch, and subsequent nose over.

Full Narrative

On October 16, 2003, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N64255, registered to Sanford Aircraft Services Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, went off the left side of runway 03, collided with a ditch, and nosed over on landing roll out at Sanford Lee County Regional Airport, Sanford, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The student pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Stanley County Airport, Albemarle, North Carolina, on October 16, 2003, at 1245. The student pilot stated he encountered a gust of wind on landing roll out, and he lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane went off the left side of the runway, collided with a ditch, and nosed over. The nearest weather reporting facility at the time of the accident was Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Raleigh, North Carolina. No wind gusts were being reported at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 EDT
Nearest AirportSanford, Lee County (0nm N)
Runway03
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN64255
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time18:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data