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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

July 18, 1995 · Cessna 172 · N53716

Motley, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Motley, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N53716
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA233

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE STATED HE LIFTED THE AIRPLANE OFF THE GROUND AT 60 MPH AND STAYED ABOVE THE RUNWAY TO BUILD AIRSPEED. THE LEFT WING DIPPED AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO CORRECT THE DRIFT, THE AIRPLANE LOST AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE. HE SAID THE LEFT WING THEN BRUSHED THE RUNWAY FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING MAKING HARDER CONTACT. THE AIRPLANE THEN HIT HARD ON THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO A STOP.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a soft field takeoff.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 1995, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N53716, registered to the Yankee Flying Club of Minneapolis, Minnesota, collided with the terrain during takeoff from Morey's Airport, Motley, Minnesota. The local personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he used soft field takeoff procedures. He stated that at 40 mph the nosewheel lifted off the ground and at 60 mph the airplane lifted off. He stated the main landing gear briefly touched down, but he lifted the airplane back off, staying above the runway to build up airspeed. He reported, "Just below tree top level my left wing dipped. I tried to correct this situation and I noticed that was drifting off to the right of the runway. While trying to level the aircraft down the runway things started to deteriorate." He reported that the airplane was losing airspeed and altitude then the left wing brushed the runway followed by the right wing making harder contact. The airplane then "... hit hard on the runway and came to a complete stop."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportMorey Airport (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2720 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN53716
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data