Aviation Crash Map

Cessna 172 N9525V

4 February 2019 · Hanover, Virginia, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 4 February 2019 at about 21:45 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N9525V, operated by Heart Of Virginia Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Hanover, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 21:45
Classification
Accident
Location
Hanover, Virginia, United States
Nearest airport
Hanover County Muni (OFP)
Coordinates
37.7081, -77.4364
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N9525V
Category
Airplane
Year built
1998
Engines
1
Operator
Heart Of Virginia Aviation Inc
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Instructional
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Hanover → Hanover
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
GAA19CA130

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 0 1

Probable cause

The student pilot's improper decision to release the seat latch to adjust the seat position during taxi, which resulted in his inability to reach the rudder or brake pedals and a subsequent loss of directional control and impact with a ditch and fence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, while taxiing to the runway for departure, he attempted to adjust the seat to get a "better view." When he released the seat latch, the seat moved aft, and he was unable to reach the rudder pedals or brake pedals with his feet. He added that he was unable to lean forward because his seat belt was secured. Subsequently, the airplane veered left, and he pulled the engine throttle to idle, but the airplane exited the taxiway into a ditch and struck a wire fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and right horizontal stabilizer. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

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All 12,209 records for this type

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