Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N17SJ; accident occurred December 27, 2018 at Sugar Land Regional Airport (KSGR), Houston, Texas

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N17SJ 

Location: Sugar Land, TX
Accident Number: GAA19CA119
Date & Time: 12/27/2018, 1300 CST
Registration: N17SJ
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of Control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 


Analysis 

The solo student pilot reported that, while taking off for a stop-and-go landing, he applied full power, and the airplane drifted left. He corrected with right rudder, but the airplane continued left. He reduced power to idle to abort the takeoff, but the airplane "continued out of control to the left." He applied brakes and opposite rudder, but the airplane exited the runway to the left and struck an airport sign, the left main landing gear separated, and the airplane came to rest about 200 ft past the sign.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing lift strut.

The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a sign.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Student pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Sign/marker - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Attempted remediation/recovery

Takeoff-rejected takeoff
Runway excursion
Part(s) separation from AC
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Student Pilot Information 

Certificate: Student
Age: 40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/22/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 98 hours (Total, all aircraft), 98 hours (Total, this make and model), 17.3 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 13.4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9.1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information 

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N17SJ
Model/Series: 172 S
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility
Serial Number: 172S8344
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: IO-360SER
Registered Owner: Anson Air Llc
Rated Power:
Operator: Anson Air Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSGR, 84 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1853 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 200°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 310°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.75 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Sugar Land, TX (SGR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Sugar Land, TX (SGR)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1215 CST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: SUGAR LAND RGNL (SGR)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 82 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Stop and Go

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:  29.622778, -95.656667 (est)