Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX95LA110

CORONA, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N9512H

CESSNA 172M

Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. HE REDUCED POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS AND APPLIED BRAKES. HE STATED THE RIGHT BRAKE LOCKED AND THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY INTO SOFT GRASS. THE NOSE GEAR CAUGHT IN THE GRASS AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE WINDS WERE DOWN THE RUNWAY AT 10 KNOTS. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR AND FOUND NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH EITHER SYSTEM.

Factual Information

On February 16, 1995, at 1100 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172M, N9512H, was found inverted off the runway at Corona, California. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the three occupants received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. No flight plan was filed for the local pleasure flight. Information from the pilot indicated that the initial takeoff on runway 25 was routine, but the acceleration was slow. About halfway down the runway, at a speed of about 50 to 55 knots indicated airspeed, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. He reduced the throttle, retracted 10 degrees of flaps, and applied brakes. The right brake locked and caused skidding. The aircraft departed the runway and proceeded along the right side of the runway in soft grass. The nose gear caught in the grass and the aircraft came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that the winds were down the runway at 10 knots. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the aircraft brake system and the airspeed indicator and found no malfunctions to either system.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment after aborting a takeoff and improper use of the brakes during the abort.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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