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NTSB Report
October 16, 1990 · Cessna 172P · N5499K
Fort Wayne, IN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N5499K
Operator
Bowman Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91FA011
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE BEFORE PITCHING OVER AND DESCENDING, LEFT WING LOW, INTO THE GROUND DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. RECORDS SHOW THE PILOT'S TOTAL AVIATION EXPERINCE TO BE 69 FLIGHT HOURS. HIS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THE 90 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT WAS .3 OF AN HOUR OBTAINED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE TAIL TIE DOWN RING DRAGGED AS THE AIRPLANE TRACKED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY BEFORE LIFTING OFF.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALLING SPEED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE PREMATURE ROTATION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Full Narrative
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE BEFORE PITCHING OVER AND DESCENDING, LEFT WING LOW, INTO THE GROUND DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. RECORDS SHOW THE PILOT'S TOTAL AVIATION EXPERINCE TO BE 69 FLIGHT HOURS. HIS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THE 90 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT WAS .3 OF AN HOUR OBTAINED THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED IN EITHER THE AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE TAIL TIE DOWN RING DRAGGED AS THE AIRPLANE TRACKED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY BEFORE LIFTING OFF.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSmith Field (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length3110 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN5499K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBowman Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 9 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:18
Weather SourceWFAC