Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, the wind was 130 degrees at 6 knots and he planned on departing runway 14. During the takeoff roll the airplane drifted right, the pilot corrected the drift by using the rudder pedals. The airplane then lifted off from the runway, yawed left, and settled back on the ground. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and went through a grass median before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage's firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA529 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 4, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Council Bluff, Iowa
- Nearest airport
- Council Bluffs Municipal (KCBF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172R
- N-number
- N368ES
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
Other records under this N-number
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.