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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

June 13, 2004 · Cessna 172 · N98981

Meridianville, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 13, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Meridianville, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N98981
Operator
Executive Flight Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04CA131

The pilot stated that the airplane touched down smoothly. He stated that when he advanced the throttle to takeoff, the airplane began to turn left, and he responded by depressing the right rudder. The pilot stated that the airplane began to "fish-tail." The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into the grass, and the nose wheel assembly was torn from the airframe. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose gear separated from the fuselage, the lower firewall was cracked, and the propeller was bent on one side. The pilot stated that "he should have exercised better directional control on takeoff". The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff, which resulted in the on ground collision with the ground.

Full Narrative

On June 13, 2004, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N98981, owned by a private owner and operated by Executive Flight Center, Inc. , veered off runway 18 at Madison County Airport (MDQ), Meridianville, Alabama. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed MDQ on June 13, 2004, at 0920. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice touch and go's in the traffic pattern. He stated that on his second landing of the day, the airplane touched down smoothly. He stated that when he advanced the throttle to take off, the airplane began to turn left, and he responded by adding right rudder. The pilot stated that the airplane began to "fish-tail," and he believes that he either "over compensated or under compensated with the rudder". The airplane veered off the left side of the runway into the grass, collided with a ditch, and the nose wheel assembly was torn from the airframe. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the nose gear separated from the fuselage, the lower firewall was cracked, and the propeller was bent on one side. The pilot stated that "he should have exercised better directional control on takeoff". The pilot reported no mechanical problem with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMadison County Executive (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length5008 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN98981
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorExecutive Flight Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O 320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data