Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA11CA115

Lebanon, TN, USA

Aircraft #1

N1946F

CESSNA 172N

Analysis

The student pilot stated that the airplane’s left main tire felt flat during his third solo landing. After landing he taxied back to the fixed base operator (FBO) to have the tire checked. The FBO representative found no discrepancies and the pilot taxied back to the runway to continue the flight. During takeoff, as the airplane reached about 30 knots, the airplane began to bobble on the left side. In response the pilot retarded the engine power to idle and applied the brakes. The airplane continued toward the left off the runway, and came to a stop in a ditch, incurring substantial damage to the firewall. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident stated that the left wheel assembly did not reveal discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation of the assembly.

Factual Information

The student pilot stated that the airplane’s left main tire felt flat during his third solo landing. After landing he taxied back to the fixed base operator (FBO) to have the tire checked. The FBO representative did not note any discrepancy, and the pilot taxied back to the runway to continue the flight training. During takeoff, as the airplane reached about 30 knots, the airplane began to bobble on the left side so the pilot reduced power back to idle and applied the brakes. The airplane continued toward the left off the runway, and came to a stop in a ditch,, incurring substantial damage to the firewall. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that the left wheel assembly did not reveal discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation of the assembly.

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot´s failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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