ATL03LA093

Factual narrative

On May 14, 2003, at 2325 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N7412G, registered to Skycrafters Incorporated, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, veered to the left on takeoff roll at Tri Cities Airport, Bristol, Tennessee. The airplane departed the runway, collided with an embankment, and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Tri Cities Regional Airport, Bristol, Tennessee, on May 14, 2003, at 2325. The pilot stated he had just completed a full stop landing to runway 23. The winds were calm. He completed the after landing check and before takeoff check while on the runway. He requested and received clearance for takeoff. The airplane reached about 40 mph and veered to the left. The pilot stated he applied too much right rudder and then overcorrected with left rudder. The airplane departed the runway to the left into the grass, collided with an embankment, and nosed over inverted. The tail section was crushed. The pilot stated the airplane did not have a mechanical failure before it veered to the left. Examination of the airplane by an authorized FAA repair station revealed no anomalies with the brakes or flight control system. The left brake line was damaged during the impact sequence. The pilot said that on the takeoff roll the airplane reached 40 mph and then it veered to the left. He applied too much right rudder and then overcorrected with left rudder. The airplane departed the runway to the left into the grass, collided with an embankment, and nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the brake or flight control system. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12