Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172S near Honolulu, HI — 2009-10-17

Final reportWPR10CA019
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Date
2009-10-17
Location
Honolulu, HI, USA
Airport
PHNL
Aircraft
CESSNA 172S
Registration
N5329L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's distraction and subsequent loss of airplane control after the cabin window opened during the takeoff roll.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that the cabin window opened during the takeoff roll. He reached over to close the window and a few seconds later the airplane rotated and banked to the left. He attempted to regain control of the airplane, but it collided with the runway surface, causing substantial damage to the firewall and both wings. The flight was to be the pilot's first solo cross-country flight; he reported 55 hours of total flight time, 1 hour of which was as pilot-in-command. Right gusting crosswinds existed at the time of the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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