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NTSB Report
November 20, 1992 · Cessna 172 · N5952R
Brownsboro, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 20, 1992
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Brownsboro, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N5952R
Operator
Derrick Mitchell
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93FA025
THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PILOT ATTEMPTED A VISUAL NIGHT TAKEOFF WITH A TAILWIND. THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED AS IT CLIMBED OUT FROM RUNWAY 27 AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE END OF THE SOD RUNWAY. AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE TREE, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ABOUT 200 PLUS FEET BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND INVERTED. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A COMPOSITE MATERIAL TYPE FLOAT WAS INSTALLED. THE AIRPLANE WAS SERVICED WITH 30 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. ADDITIONALLY ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, THERE IS NO PERFORMANCE DATA AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT FOR A TAILWIND TAKEOFF.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT FAILED TO EVALUATE THE WIND CONDITIONS AND TOOK OFF WITH A TAILWIND WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH A TREE ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. FACTORS WERE DARK NIGHT AND TAILWIND.
Full Narrative
THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PILOT ATTEMPTED A VISUAL NIGHT TAKEOFF WITH A TAILWIND. THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED AS IT CLIMBED OUT FROM RUNWAY 27 AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE END OF THE SOD RUNWAY. AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE TREE, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED ABOUT 200 PLUS FEET BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND INVERTED. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE CARBURETOR EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A COMPOSITE MATERIAL TYPE FLOAT WAS INSTALLED. THE AIRPLANE WAS SERVICED WITH 30 GALLONS OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. ADDITIONALLY ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, THERE IS NO PERFORMANCE DATA AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT FOR A TAILWIND TAKEOFF.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:02 CST
Nearest AirportMOONTOWN (1nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length2180 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN5952R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDerrick Mitchell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal3
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 17 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind110° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC