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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 19, 2000 · Cessna 172M · N13584

Sturgis, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 19, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sturgis, SD
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N13584
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA051

The airplane impacted the terrain following a loss of control during takeoff. The pilot reported that during his preflight, he noticed the elevator trim was set "all the way to the bottom", so he set it for takeoff. The pilot completed the aircraft preflight, started the engine, and taxied to the runway for takeoff. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll at 75 to 80 miles per hour, he "slowly pulled back on the control wheel and the plane would not lift off. After the midfield point it still would not lift off. So I proceeded to pull power at which time it lifted up and came back down and bounced one more time before I pushed in power." He reported the airplane went off the right side of the runway and flew over the runway and approach lights before it impacted the terrain and the nose gear collapsed. Inspection of the airplane revealed the elevator trim tab and the cockpit trim indicator were not consistent with each other. When the pilot aligned the indicator for a takeoff setting, the actual trim surface was in a full nose down position.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff and he discontinued an aborted takeoff once initiated. Factors associated with the accident were the inaccurate elevator trim indicator, the pilot's failure to verify the trim setting, rotation was restricted, directional control was not maintained, and the berm which the airplane contacted.

Full Narrative

On December 19, 2000, at 1320 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N13584, collided with the terrain following a loss of control on takeoff from runway 29 (4,600 feet by 60 feet) at the Sturgis Municipal Airport, Sturgis, South Dakota. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that upon arriving at the airport, he discovered that the airplane he was going to fly had snow on the wings. He reported he removed the snow from the wings, checked the weather, and performed his preflight inspection. The pilot reported that during his preflight, he noticed the elevator trim was set "all the way to the bottom", so he set it for takeoff. The pilot completed the aircraft preflight, started the engine, and taxied to runway 29 for takeoff. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll at 75 to 80 miles per hour, he "slowly pulled back on the control wheel and the plane would not lift off. After the midfield point it still would not lift off. So I proceeded to pull power at which time it lifted up and came back down and bounced one more time before I pushed in power." He reported the airplane went off the right side of the runway and flew over the runway and approach lights before it impacted the terrain. The pilot reported the nose gear impacted a berm and the nose gear collapsed prior to the airplane coming to rest. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, Rapid City, South Dakota, Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane after the accident. The inspector reported that the elevator trim tab and the cockpit trim indicator were not consistent with each other. He reported that when the pilot aligned the indicator for a takeoff setting, the actual trim surface was in a full nose down position. The trim indicator malfunction was not written up in the aircraft discrepancy log that is kept by the flying club which owns the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 MST
Nearest AirportSturgis Municipal (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length4600 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN13584
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data