Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he took off from an airport where there was snow, water, and slush on the taxiways. He landed at another airport for fuel and then departed for his destination. He said that the approach to the destination airport was normal, the touchdown was near the south approach end of the runway, and the rollout started near center of runway. After touchdown, he applied brakes, the airplane veered to the left, and the left main wheel departed the runway surface. The pilot was unable to bring the left wheel back on the runway and was unable to stop. As the airplane slowed, the left wheel entered a snowbank, and nosed over. The pilot said that the aircraft acted like the right brake did not operate properly and suspected it may have frozen since his departure was from the airport with the snow, water, and slush. The accident airplane was subsequently examined and no anomalies with the braking system were detected.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09LA231 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 29, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hazen, North Dakota
- Nearest airport
- Mercer County Regional Airport (HZE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Cessna R172K
- N-number
- N736CL
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.