Summary
On April 12, 2012, a Cessna 172S (N17304) was involved in an incident near Prescott, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
The pilot was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in a crosswind. The pilot said the landing was uneventful; however, as the airplane accelerated for takeoff it veered to the left. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the left, exited the runway surface, and struck a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR12CA171. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N17304.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in a crosswind. The pilot said the landing was uneventful; however, as the airplane accelerated for takeoff it veered to the left. Despite the pilot's control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the left, exited the runway surface, and struck a runway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR12CA171