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NTSB Report
March 2, 1992 · Cessna 172P · N65988
N Topsail Beach, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 1992
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
N Topsail Beach, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N65988
Operator
I S O Aero Services
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL92FA053
THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAKING 3 FRIENDS ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED SOON AFTER TAKEOFF, NARROWLY CLEARED A FUEL TANK AND TRAILER, AND ROLLED OFF TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NORMALLY UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN A NEARLY VERTICAL, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, WITH THE FLAPS UP. THE 90-HOUR PILOT HAD LOGGED ONLY 5 HOURS IN THE C172. POST ACCIDENT WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS ESTIMATED THE TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT TO BE ABOUT 2474 POUNDS, THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WEIGHT FOR THIS AIRPLANE WAS 2400.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN AND/OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. FACTORS WERE: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES, HIS OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT, AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AS A PILOT.
Full Narrative
THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAKING 3 FRIENDS ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED SOON AFTER TAKEOFF, NARROWLY CLEARED A FUEL TANK AND TRAILER, AND ROLLED OFF TO THE LEFT. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NORMALLY UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN A NEARLY VERTICAL, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, WITH THE FLAPS UP. THE 90-HOUR PILOT HAD LOGGED ONLY 5 HOURS IN THE C172. POST ACCIDENT WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS ESTIMATED THE TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT TO BE ABOUT 2474 POUNDS, THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WEIGHT FOR THIS AIRPLANE WAS 2400.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:20 EST
Nearest AirportTopsail Island (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN65988
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorI S O Aero Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 19 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC