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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 30, 1994 · Cessna 172N · N733AA

Schurz, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1994
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Schurz, NV
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N733AA
Operator
Nevada Cal Aero
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX94LA269

The passenger seated in the right front seat holds an airline transport pilot certificate and is an airline pilot. The witness reported that he did not observe a windsock on the airstrip and they had to gauge the wind conditions before takeoff by looking at the trees around the airport. He estimated that the winds were from 310 degrees at 10 knots with higher gusts to over 20 knots. Both he and the pilot stated in separate interviews that the takeoff was normal until the aircraft achieved about 100 feet agl. At that point, the aircraft encountered a 'very turbulent boundary layer' and the airspeed indicator 'instantaneously went from 80 to 30 knots and the stall horn came on continuously.' Both of the pilots stated that they could not recover the airspeed and the aircraft descended to impact with a telephone pole and wire at the north airport boundary.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inability to maintain an adequate airspeed in the takeoff initial climb due to an encounter with a windshear.

Full Narrative

On June 30, 1994, at 1425 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733AA, collided with telephone wires and poles on takeoff from the Schurz, Nevada, airport. The aircraft was operated by Nevada Cal Aero of Reno, Nevada, and was rented by the pilot for a cross-country personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated private pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries; however, one passenger incurred serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a return flight to Reno, Nevada. According to Sheriff's Department officers who responded to the accident site, the pilot stated in an interview that during the takeoff initial climb the aircraft encountered a windshear condition and descended into telephone wires and poles at the departure end of the runway. The responding sheriff's deputies stated that the outside air temperature was about 95 degrees and that the winds were variable and gusty. The passenger seated in the right front seat holds an airline transport pilot certificate and is an airline pilot. The witness reported that he did not observe a windsock on the airstrip and they had to gauge the wind conditions before takeoff by looking at the trees around the airport. He estimated that the winds were from 310 degrees at 10 knots with higher gusts to over 20 knots. Both he and the pilot stated in separate interviews that the takeoff was normal until the aircraft achieved about 100 feet agl. At that point, the aircraft encountered a "very turbulent boundary layer" and the airspeed indicator "instantaneously went from 80 to 30 knots and the stall horn came on continuously." Both of the pilots stated that they could not recover the airspeed and the aircraft descended to impact with a telephone pole and wire at the north airport boundary.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:25 PDT
Nearest AirportSCHURZ (0nm)
Runway34
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width45 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN733AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNevada Cal Aero
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data