NTSB CEN20CA205 — 2020-05-31 · Lakeview, Arkansas, United States

Current FAA registration · N52794

Make / Model: CESSNA 172S
Year of manufacture: 2002 · 18 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 20021029
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A6A69F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N52794 Cessna 172 None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff.

Factual narrative

The pilot was attempting to take off on a turf runway that had a few muddy spots. He added power to the engine and back pressure on the flight control yoke to "protect the nose wheel." As the airplane accelerated, he applied right rudder to keep the airplane centered on the runway. The airplane was not turning as it should and had not lifted off, so he closed the throttle to reject the takeoff. The airplane struck trees on the left side of the runway and spun sideways into some additional smaller trees and bushes. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that could have contributed to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

F Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation - F
C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot - C
— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2020_CEN20CA205.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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