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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 18, 1995 · Cessna 172 · N79569

Holland, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Holland, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N79569
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA088

THE INSTRTOR SAID HE HAD DISCUSSED CROSSWIND TAKEOFF TECHNIQUES WITH THE STUDENT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. HE SAID THE STUDENT PILOT BEGAN TO PERFORM A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF AND CORRECTED FOR A LEFT DRIFT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. ONCE AIRBORNE, THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT, ITS LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE STRUCK A THREE-FOOT HIGH SNOWBANK THAT WAS ON THE RUNWAY EDGE. THE COLLISION PULLED THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE TO THE LEFT, ITS NOSE GEAR TIRE COLLIDED WITH THE SNOWBANK, AND THE AIRPLANE '...FLIPPED ON ITS BACK AND SLID TO A STOP.' THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE RELAXED TOO MUCH DURING THE TAKEOFF.

NTSB Probable Cause

delayed remedial action by the flight instructor. Factors in the accident were the student pilot not maintaining directional control once airborne.

Full Narrative

On February 18, 1995, at 1545 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 172, N79569, registered to Lakeshore Aviators of Holland, Michigan, with a commercially certificated flight instructor acting as pilot-in-command during a dual instructional flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with a snowbank shortly after liftoff from runway 05 (2,999 X 50' dry asphalt) at the Park Township Airport, Holland, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The instructor and student pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Holland, Michigan, at 1530 est. According to the instructor, the purpose of the flight was to "...practice takeoffs and landings... ." He said the "initial takeoff was to be a soft field with [a] slight crosswind." Before the flight he said he discussed crosswind takeoff techniques with the student. During the takeoff roll he said the "...aircraft moved left due to torque and P-factor with [a] high nose pitch... ." The instructor said the student began to correct for the airplane's left movement. He said, "at lift off [the] nose was lowered but [the] aircraft drifted left." As the airplane drifted left the instructor said its "left main gear hit [a] snow bank at [the] runway edge which pulled [the airplane's] nose left and down." He said the airplane's nose gear hit the snowbank, "...flipped on its back and slid to a stop." The instructor was interviewed and said the student had done six or seven soft field takeoffs during two or three other flight lessons. He said the snowbanks were on the edge of the runway and were about three feet high. He said he relaxed too much during the takeoff that lead to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EST
Nearest AirportPark Township Airport (0nm)
Runway5
Runway Length2999 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN79569
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 11 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data