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June 20, 1987 · Cessna 172I · N8446L

Ellisville, MS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Ellisville, MS
Aircraft
Cessna 172I
Tail Number
N8446L
Operator
David L Cutchens
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA87FA188

BFR THE FLT, THE ARPT OWNER ADZD THE PLT NOT TO FLY, SINCE HE (THE PLT) APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED. THE PLT 'SAID OK & LEFT,' BUT RETURNED APRX 1 HR LATER. A WITNESS RPRTD THE PLT ATMTD TO TAKEOFF WITH FULL FLAPS. DRG THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THEACFT DRIFTED OFF THE RWY, HIT SOME PLASTIC MARKERS, THEN REENTERED THE RWY & CONTD TAKING OFF. ACCORDING TO 2 WITNESSES,THE PLANE WAS IN A NOSE HI ATTITUDE WITH LOW SPEED AFTER LIFT-OFF & CONTD FLYING JUST ABOVE THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, ITENTERED A LEFT BANK & CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE FLAPS WERE FND FULLY EXTDD; THE PLT'S SEAT BELT WASN'T FASTENED & HE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE RGT FNT (PAX'S) SEAT WAS FND OFF THE SEAT TRACK; THE FNTSEAT STOPS FOR THAT SEAT HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED. NO OTHER MECHANICAL PRBLM WAS FND. THE PLT STATED THAT HIS SEAT SLIPPEDBACKWARD ON TAKEOFF & THE PAX GRABBED THE CTL WHEEL & PULLED BACK, CAUSING THE ACFT TO STALL. POH RCMDD A MAX OF 10 DEG FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. A BLOOD SAMPLE TAKEN JUST AFTER THE ACDNT SHOWED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 183 MG/DL (0.183%).

Full Narrative

BFR THE FLT, THE ARPT OWNER ADZD THE PLT NOT TO FLY, SINCE HE (THE PLT) APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED. THE PLT 'SAID OK & LEFT,' BUT RETURNED APRX 1 HR LATER. A WITNESS RPRTD THE PLT ATMTD TO TAKEOFF WITH FULL FLAPS. DRG THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THEACFT DRIFTED OFF THE RWY, HIT SOME PLASTIC MARKERS, THEN REENTERED THE RWY & CONTD TAKING OFF. ACCORDING TO 2 WITNESSES,THE PLANE WAS IN A NOSE HI ATTITUDE WITH LOW SPEED AFTER LIFT-OFF & CONTD FLYING JUST ABOVE THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, ITENTERED A LEFT BANK & CRASHED INTO TREES NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE FLAPS WERE FND FULLY EXTDD; THE PLT'S SEAT BELT WASN'T FASTENED & HE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE RGT FNT (PAX'S) SEAT WAS FND OFF THE SEAT TRACK; THE FNTSEAT STOPS FOR THAT SEAT HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED. NO OTHER MECHANICAL PRBLM WAS FND. THE PLT STATED THAT HIS SEAT SLIPPEDBACKWARD ON TAKEOFF & THE PAX GRABBED THE CTL WHEEL & PULLED BACK, CAUSING THE ACFT TO STALL. POH RCMDD A MAX OF 10 DEG FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. A BLOOD SAMPLE TAKEN JUST AFTER THE ACDNT SHOWED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 183 MG/DL (0.183%).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 CDT
Nearest AirportPURVIS (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172I
Tail NumberN8446L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid L Cutchens
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2300 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data