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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 21, 2001 · Cessna 172P · N53118

Prairie Du Sac, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Prairie Du Sac, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N53118
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA072

The student pilot reported that he planned to practice solo soft-field takeoffs, short-field takeoffs, and normal landings. It had been over two months since he had practiced those takeoff procedures. He reported that during the takeoff roll from a hard surface runway, the nose shot "... straight up, very fast and very high in front of me. This was totally unexpected to me." He reported the airplane started veering to the left and he applied right rudder, but he did not release the back pressure on the yoke. He reported he realized that he did not have the airplane under control and he pulled the throttle to idle. The airplane impacted a snow bank on the left side of the runway and nosed over. He reported he discovered that the airplane had been trimmed nose up.

NTSB Probable Cause

the improper trim setting and the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the snowbank.

Full Narrative

On January 21, 2001, at 1625 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N53118, operated by Wisconsin Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged when it veered off runway18 (2,940 feet by 32 feet, asphalt dry) at Sauk-Prairie Airport, Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin. The solo student pilot was practicing short-field takeoffs when the airplane veered off the runway. The airplane hit a snow bank and nosed over. The student pilot was not injured. The fight originated from Madison, Wisconsin, at 1555. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot reported that he planned a solo practice of soft-field takeoffs, short-field takeoffs, and normal landings. He reported that it had been over two months since he had practiced those takeoff procedures. He reported he executed a solo soft-field takeoff, and it was the first time that he had conducted one by himself. He reported that he put in ten degrees of flaps and pulled the yoke back into his chest. He applied full power and tightened the friction lock. He reported that during the takeoff roll the nose shot "... straight up, very fast and very high in front of me. This was totally unexpected to me." He reported the airplane started veering to the left and he applied right rudder, but he did not release the back pressure on the yoke. He reported he realized that he did not have the airplane under control and he pulled the throttle to idle. The airplane impacted a snow bank on the left side of the runway and nosed over. He reported he evacuated the airplane without being injured. He reported he discovered that the airplane had been trimmed nose up. The student pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by the following steps: 1. Follow proper procedures for the soft-field takeoff technique. Namely for me, release the back pressure on the yoke as the plane accelerates and moves into ground effect. Hold ailerons level near the ground. 2. Be wary of false confidence in my skills. Know the technique. Practice beforehand with a CFI. 3. Remember the before-takeoff checklist. For me: the trim setting. 4. Know that when the takeoff is going badly, reduce power and nose back down: reject takeoff. 5. Realize that a narrow runway in a vast white field is a tough place to practice this technique.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:25 CST
Nearest AirportSauk-Prairie Airport (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2940 ft
Runway Width32 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN53118
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 10 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data