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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 18, 1996 · Cessna 172 · N7627T

David City, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
David City, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N7627T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA134

The instructor reported that prior to the first soft field takeoff he set 10 degrees of flaps, and used left aileron to compensate for a left crosswind. The winds were reported to be 290 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots. He reported that at about 50 miles per hour, the airplane became airborne. The stall warning horn sounded and he eased over on the nose in order to increase airspeed. A 'couple of seconds' after easing the nose over, the right landing gear hit the ground and the right wingtip hit a runway marker cone. Then the left landing gear hit hard and the instructor aborted the takeoff. The airplane veered off the runway into a muddy beanfield and nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

the instructor pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft during a soft field takeoff. Factors were the gusting winds and the soft field.

Full Narrative

On April 18, 1996, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7627T, was substantially damaged when it nosed over after the takeoff was aborted. The flight instructor and student were not injured. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from the Columbus Municipal Airport, Columbus, Nebraska, and flew to David City Municipal Airport, David City, Nebraska, to practice soft field takeoff and landings. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The instructor pilot reported that prior to the first soft field takeoff on runway 32 at David City Airport, he set 10 degrees of flaps, and used left aileron to compensate for a left crosswind. The instructor reported the winds were 290 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots. During takeoff roll, the instructor had the yoke pulled aft to keep the nose up. He reported that at about 50 miles per hour, the airplane became airborne. The stall warning horn sounded momentarily and he eased the nose over to increase airspeed. The instructor reported that a "couple of seconds" after easing the nose over, the left wing came up, the right landing gear hit the ground and the right wingtip hit a runway marker cone. He reported putting in more left aileron and left rudder to compensate and try get the airplane into the wind. The instructor reported that the left landing gear hit hard and he decided to abort the takeoff. He closed the throttle and applied maximum braking. The airplane veered off the runway into a muddy beanfield and nosed over. The student pilot was a certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (A&P). He reported that the engine and flight controls were operating properly prior to the accident. The instructor also reported that the engine was operating properly, however, he questioned whether a flight control malfunctioned. He reported that a gust of wind or a whirl wind had caused the loss of control on takeoff. An Aviation Safety Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the flight controls and reported that they exhibited continuity.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportDavid City Municipal (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width300 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN7627T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind311° @ 12 kt, gusting 19 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:34
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data