National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Final Report

Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Accident Number: ERA20CA130

Date & Time: March 17, 2020, 15:35 Local Registration: N66046
Aircraft: Cessna 172 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted
Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Under:

Analysis

According to the flight instructor, after a normal preflight inspection and engine run-up, the student pilot
taxied to the runway for takeoff and began the takeoff roll. Everything seemed normal as the airplane
accelerated; however, as the airplane rotated, it started to yaw left. The instructor attempted to assist the
student correct the left yaw by applying right rudder. He was unable to correct the left yaw, so he took
over the flight controls and aborted the takeoff. The airplane bounced to the left and impacted a retention
pond bank. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane reported that the
forward fuselage and firewall were buckled, that the nosewheel steerage linkage was broken, and that
rust was noted on the fractured surfaces.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The failure of the nosewheel steerage linkage during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional
control and impact with an obstacle during an attempted aborted landing.

Findings
Aircraft Landing gear steering system - Failure
Aircraft Directional control - Attain/maintain not possible
Environmental issues (general) - Effect on operation

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Factual Information

History of Flight
Takeoff Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) (Defining event)
Takeoff Loss of control on ground
Takeoff Attempted remediation/recovery
Takeoff-rejected takeoff Abnormal runway contact
Takeoff-rejected takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Flight instructor Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor Age: 32,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Last FAA Medical Exam: January 23, 2020
waivers/limitations
Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: December 11, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 318 hours (Total, all aircraft), 318 hours (Total, this make and model), 249 hours
(Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 81 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 68 hours (Last 30 days, all
aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student pilot Information

Certificate: Student Age: 59,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: November 27, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 55 hours (Total, all aircraft), 55 hours (Total, this make and model)

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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna Registration: N66046
Model/Series: 172 S Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2005 Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal Serial Number: 172S9786
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: February 16, 2020 100 hour Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 84 Hrs Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 11025.8 Hrs as of last Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
inspection
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
not aid in locating accident
Registered Owner: Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPB,0 ft msl
Observation Time: 19:53 Local
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2900 ft AGL
Lowest Ceiling: None
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Wind Direction: 70°
Altimeter Setting: 30.19 inches Hg
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: West Palm Beach, FL (LNA
)
Destination: West Palm Beach, FL (LNA
)
Departure Time: 15:35 Local
Condition of Light: Day
Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 182°
Visibility 10 miles
Visibility (RVR):
Turbulence Type None / None
Forecast/Actual:
Turbulence Severity N/A / N/A
Forecast/Actual:
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C / 18°C
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Type of Clearance: None
Type of Airspace: Class G

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Airport Information
Airport: Palm Beach County Park LNA Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 14 ft msl Runway Surface Dry
Condition:
Runway Used: 10 IFR Approach: None
Runway 3489 ft / 75 ft VFR Approach/Landing: None
Length/Width:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Aircraft Fire: None
Injuries:
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft None
Explosion:
Total Injuries: 2 None Latitude, 26.593055,-80.084999(est)
Longitude:

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
Additional Participating
Persons:
Original Publish Date:
Note:
Investigation Docket:
Alleyne, Eric
Jensen Timothy; FAA/FSDO; Miramar, FL
August 27, 2020
This accident report documents the factual circumstances of this accident as described
to the NTSB.
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101084

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 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an
independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the
Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation
accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety
recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the
safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The
NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports,
safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and
statistical reviews.

The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b),

precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report
related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from
a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible
under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.

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