History of Flight
On September 30, 2008, at approximately 1835 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, registration N2190W, impacted terrain following a loss of control on takeoff from runway 24 at Fullerton Municipal Airport, Fullerton, California. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating when the accident occurred.
The pilot reported that he had intended to practice takeoffs and landings. After performing a pre-flight inspection using a detailed checklist, he taxied to runway 24 and conducted an engine run-up. He received clearance for a straight out departure. As the airplane became airborne at 65 knots, it veered left. The pilot applied right rudder but the airplane did not respond. He reduced power and attempted to return to the runway, but the airplane continued left. He then applied full power and pulled back on the yoke, causing the airplane to go right, then nose over and descend.
A witness, a pilot on final approach, observed the accident airplane depart the left side of the runway, then become airborne between the runway and taxiway A. He saw the left wing rise and right wing dip suddenly, followed by the right wing tip striking the runway, the nose striking the runway in a cartwheel motion, and the airplane coming to rest inverted.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 60, held a third-class medical certificate and a student pilot certificate issued October 17, 2006, with the limitation that he must possess glasses for near vision. Endorsements for solo flight in Cessna 172 airplanes and solo cross-country flight were dated December 13, 2006, and September 21, 2008, respectively. His logbook showed 146.5 total flight hours since July 23, 2006, with 40.1 hours solo, and 100.2 hours in the accident airplane. He flew 31.5 hours in the 30 days preceding the accident.
Aircraft Information
The 2007 model Cessna Skyhawk SP had its most recent annual inspection on July 11, 2008, at 116.0 hours total time. The Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine also had 116.0 hours. The most recent maintenance on September 24, 2008, at 153.6 hours, included transponder antenna replacement and oil/filter change. No uncorrected discrepancies were noted.
The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) indicates that flap deflections greater than 10 degrees are not approved for takeoff. The Before Takeoff and Normal Takeoff checklists include setting wing flaps to 10 degrees. The Short Field Takeoff checklist also calls for 10 degrees of flaps. The POH describes the flap system with mechanical stops at 10, 20, and 30 degrees; the lever must be moved right to clear the stops.
Meteorological Information
At 1840, Fullerton Municipal Airport reported calm wind, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 32°C, dew point 8°C, and altimeter 29.86 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
FAA inspectors reported the wreckage path began about 513 feet from the takeoff roll start with a rudder cap fragment and a scrape mark from the tail tie-down ring. At about 750 feet, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, leaving a tire track and broken runway light. It struck a runway/taxiway sign at 784 feet, crossed taxiway C, and struck another sign at 937 feet, with skin fragment found. No further ground contact until 1,819 feet, where right wing tip fragments were found, and the airplane came to rest inverted on the north side of the runway.
The airplane's wings, empennage, and landing gear remained attached. The engine and forward fuselage were displaced upward, left, and aft. Both propeller blades showed gouging, scratches, twisting, and bending. The right wing outboard section was crushed; left wing had minimal damage. The right horizontal stabilizer was torn and had black paint transfer; the left stabilizer had a hole in its bottom skin. Flight control continuity was established. The flap actuator measured 5 inches, corresponding to 30 degrees (full flaps), but the flap selector lever and indicator were at 0 degrees, with the lever bent, likely from impact or pilot egress. No pre-impact anomalies were found.
Survival Factors
The pilot's airbag deployed. After the impact, the pilot released his seatbelt, fell to the ceiling, opened the left door, and crawled onto the left wing. He asked first responders to shut off the airplane due to fuel pump noise. The pilot suffered serious bilateral lower extremity injuries, a right upper extremity fracture, possible rib fracture, facial lacerations, and chest abrasions and contusions.