Cessna 172 accident near Sanford, North Carolina, November 27, 2020
On November 27, 2020 at about 6:05 pm local time, a 2003 Cessna 172, registered N53587, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sanford, North Carolina (Raleigh Executive Jetport At S airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 27, 2020 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Sanford, North Carolina · Raleigh Executive Jetport At S · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 S, built 2003 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N53587 · registry record · serial 172S9407
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he was aware of a left crosswind of about 5 knots and compensated by applying extra left aileron. During the takeoff roll about 45 to 50 knots, the airplane started to veer to the left. The pilot stated that the airplane, “felt like it had lifted off the ground” in a gradual left roll and he was unable to correct with right aileron or sufficient rudder. Once the airplane departed the runway, he reduced the power and applied the brakes, but the airplane skidded down an embankment and collided with a hill. The impact separated the engine from the mounts and the nose landing gear was sheared off which caused substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that he likely had more left aileron than was necessary for the crosswind at the beginning of the takeoff roll, and he did not reduce the control application as the airspeed increased. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Decision related to condition
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 73.9 hours in all; 72.9 in this make and model; 39.3 in the last 90 days; 22.3 in the last 30 days; 19.9 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,877 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 31, 2020; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 6,335 hours total
- Operator: Chapel Hill Flying Club, Inc
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 6,501 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from TTA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 17, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation_pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspectors Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array_accident Site and Damage | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.