N4601D – CESSNA 172N – 2013-03-30 NTSB Accident Report

On March 30, 2013, a Cessna 172N (N4601D) was involved in an incident near Bally, PA. All 4 people 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 failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

The pilot reported that he was departing on runway 34 with three passengers. He said that he conducted an engine run-up prior to takeoff and all systems were working properly. He taxied the airplane onto the runway and initiated the takeoff roll. As he pulled back the control yoke, the airplane began to drift to the left, and he was unable to correct the drift. He did not regain control of the airplane and it exited the runway. The airplane rolled into a grove of pine trees, and sustained substantial damage to the tail section and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA185. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4601D.