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WPR12CA357

2012-08-14 · Everett, Washington, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PAE

Current FAA registration · N863CP

Make / Model
CESSNA 421
Year of manufacture
1968 · 44 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR GTSIO-520-C (340 hp)
Seats / Engines
8 seats · 2 engines
Last airworthiness date
19680607
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ABDA3C

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. The landing was uneventful; however, as the airplane accelerated for takeoff, it veered to the left. Despite his control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the left and struck a runway sign, substantially damaging the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. The landing that immediately preceded the accident was uneventful; however, as the airplane accelerated for takeoff, it veered to the left. Despite the pilot’s control inputs, the airplane continued to veer to the left and struck a runway sign, substantially damaging the fuselage and empennage. The 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
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Not specified
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_WPR12CA357.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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