NTSB GAA16CA415 — 2016-07-30 · Kissimmee, Florida, United States

Current FAA registration · N1688C

Make / Model: CESSNA 172S
Year of manufacture: 2007 · 9 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 20071002
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A112D9

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N1688C Cessna 172 None

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The solo student pilot reported that during takeoff the airplane veered off the runway to the left and impacted a wind sock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The solo student pilot reported that during takeoff the airplane veered off the runway to the left and impacted a wind sock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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-Student/instructed pilot - C
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wind sock-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA415.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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