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CEN10CA158

2010-03-15 · Waupaca, Wisconsin, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PCZ

Current FAA registration · N1472U

Make / Model
CESSNA 172M
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19760428
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0BF62

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off in gusting winds.

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that he rotated about 60 knots to a nose up attitude during takeoff. He said that the left wing raised “abruptly” due to a wind gust. He stated that he over corrected with left aileron and “set the plane back down on the runway.” The airplane was then heading for the edge of the runway and the pilot reduced the airplane throttle. The airplane exited the runway, its safety area, and nosed over in a plowed field. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane reference the accident flight. The student pilot reported that he rotated about 60 knots to a nose-up attitude during takeoff. He said that the left wing raised “abruptly” due to a wind gust and that he overcorrected with left aileron and “set the plane back down on the runway.” The airplane was then heading for the edge of the runway and the pilot reduced the airplane throttle. The airplane exited the runway, including its safety area, and nosed over in a plowed field. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident flight. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Response/compensation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_CEN10CA158.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.