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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 1, 1995 · Cessna 337G · N72168

Brant, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Brant, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 337G
Tail Number
N72168
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA139

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF, '...PILOT SNEEZED. AIRCRAFT PITCHED UP [AND] ROTATED PREMATURELY....' THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE MOWED PORTION OF THE GRASS STRIP AND COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO ANOMALIES WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind condition on an unimproved grass strip and a subsequent premature rotation resulting in an aborted takeoff and a subsequent collision with a utility pole on the departure end of the grass strip.

Full Narrative

On July 1, 1995, about 1645 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 337G, N72168, piloted by Earnest O. Bower, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private grass strip, in Brant, New York. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There was no flight plan for the flight conducted under CFR 14 Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, Conditions favored takeoff to east. Normal takeoff run. Pilot sneezed, aircraft pitched up [and] rotated prematurely. Decision to abort takeoff. Pilot landed. During roll out, plane suddenly turned 90 degrees left...caused by rock stopping left main wheel. Could not stop before left wing struck power pole. Additionally, the pilot reported that the winds were from the northwest at 4 knots. At Chautauqua County, Jamestown, New York, about 30 miles to the southwest, the winds were reported from 310 degrees at 8 knots. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector stated in his report: ...[The] accident occurred as Mr. Bower was attempting a takeoff from this unimproved farm field....In [this]...accident, the takeoff was attempted with a tailwind estimated at 8 to 10 knots and field growth of approximately 12 inches....The aircraft struck a utility pole at the east end of the field and crossed a road before stopping. The takeoff run had begun on a mowed strip approximately 1500 feet long at the west end of the field, and ended in an unmowed area approximately 2000 feet long at the east end of the field.... Postaccident examination by the FAA Inspector revealed no anomalies with the engine or airframe.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest AirportClark Field (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 337G
Tail NumberN72168
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data