No fatalities

Airplane Noses Over After Runway Excursion During Touch and Go on Snowy Runway

Newton, IA, United States

On January 2, 2016, a CESSNA 172 S operated by CENTRAL IOWA AVIATION LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Newton, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion, and airplane nose over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempting a touch and go landing on a runway with snow patches experienced a sharp left turn upon throttle advance, causing the airplane to exit the runway, impact residual snow, and nosed over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings.

Accident Details

The pilot reported that the intended maneuver was a touch and go landing on a runway that had patches of snow extending from the approach end to the departure end. The touchdown and landing roll were described as uneventful. As the pilot aborted the landing and configured the airplane for takeoff, he retracted the flaps, advanced the throttle, and applied right rudder. Upon advancing the throttle, the airplane immediately made a sharp left turn, exited the runway to the left, and impacted residual snow that had been cleared from the runway. The airplane subsequently nosed over.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage. Specifically, the vertical stabilizer and both wings were damaged.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. After the accident, the pilot exited the runway under his own power.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Decision related to conditionEffect on equipment

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Jan 2016 CESSNA 172 S accident near Newton, IA?

A pilot attempting a touch and go landing on a runway with snow patches experienced a sharp left turn upon throttle advance, causing the airplane to exit the runway, impact residual snow, and nosed over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 Jan 2016 CESSNA 172 S accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Jan 2016 involved a CESSNA 172 S, operated by CENTRAL IOWA AVIATION LLC, at Newton, IA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion, and airplane nose over.