SPRING, TX, USA
N5103D
Cessna 172N
During one of a series of crosswind touch and go landings, the airplane exited runway 17R during the 5th takeoff roll. The airplane struck a ditch, which resulted in collapse of the nose landing gear. The private pilot had accumulated 65.7 hours total flight time. This was the pilot's first solo flight (0.7 hours) in the make/model of aircraft since a 1.2 hour dual check out with a flight instructor. The reported wind was from 120 degrees at 8 knots.
On June 10, 1999, at 1850 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N single engine airplane, N5103D, sustained substantial damage when it exited runway 17R during the takeoff roll at the David Wayne Hooks Airport, Spring, Texas. The airplane was owned by A B Aviation, Inc, Tomball, Texas, and operated by National Aviation Services, Inc., Spring, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. Touch and go landings were being performed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector and on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the takeoff portion of the 5th touch and go landing, the left wing of the airplane "lifted up as though a gust of wind had hit the aircraft." As the pilot's attention was diverted, the "torque effect of full power pulled the aircraft to the left." The airplane exited the left side of the runway and struck a drainage ditch located between runway 17R and the parallel taxiway. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. The pilot had accumulated 65.7 hours total flight time. This was the pilot's first flight (0.7 hours) in the Cessna 172 airplane since a 1.2 hour dual check out with a flight instructor. According to FAA records, the pilot obtained his private certificate on May 30, 1999. The FAA inspector responding to the site reported that the throttle control was in the full power position and the mixture control was in the leaned position. Structural damage occurred at the nose landing gear strut and panels on the lower fuselage. The firewall was damaged. The pilot reported the winds were from 120 degrees at 9 knots. The National Weather Service 1850 observation for the David Wayne Hooks Airport was winds 120 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statue miles, a broken cloud layer at 7,500 feet, and altimeter setting 29.90 inches of mercury. Thunderstorms were observed north and west of the airport.
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll. Factors were the crosswind condition and the pilot's lack of total experience in the make/model of aircraft.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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