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Accidents · NTSB WPR14CA163 · Final report

Cessna 172S accident near Everett, Washington, April 10, 2014

On April 10, 2014 at about 1:30 am local time, a 2006 Cessna 172S, registered N1152Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Everett, Washington (Snohomish County (Paine Fld) 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 failure to maintain directional control during a takeoff, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway surface and colliding with a sign.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
April 10, 2014 · about 1:30 am local time
Place
Everett, Washington · Snohomish County (Paine Fld) · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 172S S, built 2006 · all 172Ss on the register
Registration
N1152Z · registry record · serial 172S10339
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to perform several touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings and then perform practice maneuvers in the local area. The pilot departed the active runway without incident and continued around the traffic pattern. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear and was slightly to the left of the runway centerline. As the nose wheel touched down, the pilot raised the wing flaps and shortly thereafter, he applied full engine power in an effort to takeoff. The airplane began to veer to the left of the centerline. The airplane departed the runway surface and continued into the adjacent grassy area at which point the pilot retarded throttle while simultaneously applying brakes. The airplane collided with the sign and the nose wheel collapsed. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the firewall. There was no report of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with 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

  1. Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
  2. Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
  • Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Sign/marker › Contributed to outcome

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 199 hours in all; 160 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 120 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection
  • Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: PAE Everett WA at 1:15 am
  • Destination: PAE Everett WA
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 34R, 3,004 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 330° at 4 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
  • Observation at 1:53 pm from PAE

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

1 document, released by the NTSB on June 2, 2014. 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.

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.