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NTSB Report
March 21, 1989 · Cessna 172H · N1480F
Melbourne, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Melbourne, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N1480F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89FA111
THE PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF ON A RUNWAY WITH A 90 DEGREE 18 KNOT CROSSWIND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE. ANOTHER RUNWAY, LONGER & MORE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THE WIND, WAS AVAILABLE BUT NOT REQUESTED. WITNESSES SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED 75 TO 100 FT AGL, THEN ROLLED LEFT. ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF HEADING CHANGE WAS OBSERVED BEFORE THE AIRPLANE DOVE TO THE GROUND. WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OPERATING AT HIGH RPM. NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN INAPPROPRIATE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF ON A RUNWAY WITH A 90 DEGREE 18 KNOT CROSSWIND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE. ANOTHER RUNWAY, LONGER & MORE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THE WIND, WAS AVAILABLE BUT NOT REQUESTED. WITNESSES SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED 75 TO 100 FT AGL, THEN ROLLED LEFT. ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF HEADING CHANGE WAS OBSERVED BEFORE THE AIRPLANE DOVE TO THE GROUND. WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OPERATING AT HIGH RPM. NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:31 EST
Nearest AirportMelbourne Regional (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length3002 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN1480F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 18 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:31
Weather SourceWFAC