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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

October 1, 1998 · Cessna C-172F · N5588R

Ball Ground, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 1, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ball Ground, GA
Aircraft
Cessna C-172F
Tail Number
N5588R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL99LA001

According to the pilot, he was on his third takeoff of the day from his newly built private field. The runway was 1000 feet long by 42 feet wide, covered mostly in grass with some packed soil. As he became airborne, he experienced a left quartering wind gust, which pushed the airplane to the right. The right wing collided with a tree and the airplane spun to the right resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The pilot, and sole occupant, was not injured.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane on take-off, during gusty conditions, resulting in a collision with a tree.

Full Narrative

On October 1, 1998, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N 5588R, collided with a tree and the ground on takeoff from a private field in Ball Ground, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the registered owner under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot, and sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damaged. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was on his third takeoff of the day from his newly built private field. The runway was 1000 feet long by 42 feet wide, covered mostly in grass with some packed soil. As he became airborne, he experienced a left quartering wind gust, which pushed the airplane to the right. The right wing collided with a tree and the airplane spun to the right resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Field (0nm N)
Runway7
Runway Length1000 ft
Runway Width42 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-172F
Tail NumberN5588R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data