Cessna 172R Skyhawk, N91966, registered to and operated by Beers Investment Group Inc: Accident occurred August 02, 2017 at Kearney Regional Airport (KEAR), Buffalo County, Nebraska

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lincoln, Nebraska

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 

Beers Investment Group Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N91966

Location: Kearney, NE
Accident Number: GAA17CA482
Date & Time: 08/02/2017, 1630 CDT
Registration: N91966
Aircraft: CESSNA 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The pilot reported that just after touchdown, he lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and collided with a taxiway sign.

The airplane's lower right fuselage sustained substantial damage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Sign/marker - Contributed to outcome

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-landing roll
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 24, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification:  Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/24/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/14/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 142 hours (Total, all aircraft), 142 hours (Total, this make and model), 52 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 18 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N91966
Model/Series: 172 R
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 17281616
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/21/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1568.3 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: BEERS INVESTMENT GROUP INC
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: BEERS INVESTMENT GROUP INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KEAR, 2130 ft msl
Observation Time: 2056 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 178°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 17°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Salina, KS (KSLN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Kearney, MA (KEAR)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1500 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class E 

Airport Information

Airport: KEARNEY RGNL (EAR)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 2131 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 7094 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  40.752222, -99.000833 (est)