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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 13, 1998 · Cessna 172L · N2885Q

Lapwai, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Lapwai, ID
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N2885Q
Operator
Huddleston Marvin A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA98LA121

The pilot reported to a local law enforcement official that he was initiating a southbound takeoff with 20 degrees flaps from a field of 15 inch high grass near his mother's residence. He reported that immediately after lifting off, a wheel struck something, and immediately thereafter the aircraft impacted a fence post and then terrain before coming to a stop. In a written statement, the pilot noted that the airplane struck the top of a railroad tie in the grass.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning or preparation from unsuitable terrain. Factors include an embedded railroad tie in the takeoff path, and high vegetation..

Full Narrative

On July 12, 1998, approximately 1950 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N2885Q, registered to and being operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a collision with a fence and terrain immediately after lift-off from a grass strip one mile north of Lapwai, Idaho. The private pilot and his two passengers were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and was destined for Kamiah, Idaho. The pilot reported to a local law enforcement official that he was initiating a southbound takeoff with 20 degrees flaps from a field of 15 inch high grass near his mother's residence. He reported that immediately after lifting off, a wheel struck something, and immediately thereafter the aircraft impacted a fence post and then terrain before coming to a stop (refer to attached Nez Perce County Sheriff Report). In a written statement, the pilot noted that the airplane "hit (a) clump of grass or something in the grass" and that the "plane veered to (the) right upon liftoff (and) hit the top of a railroad tie in the grass." On-site examination by FAA inspectors from their Spokane office revealed that the right wheel and strut had separated from the aircraft and the right horizontal stabilizer was bent upward several inches.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway18
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN2885Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHuddleston Marvin A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data