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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

August 4, 2002 · Cessna 172N · N739VN

Sidney, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Sidney, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739VN
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA236

The airplane was damaged when it impacted the runway during takeoff. The pilot stated that he lifted off at 65 knots airspeed and started to climb. He stated that when he had climbed to an altitude of about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane, "went into a stall [and] settled back to [the] runway striking [the] left wing." In the report, the pilot listed no mechanical failure of the airplane. No preexisting anomalies were found during a postaccident examination of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining sufficient airspeed during the takeoff, and the inadvertent stall encountered by the pilot. The low altitude was a factor.

Full Narrative

On August 4, 2002, at 1300 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739VN, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the runway during takeoff from runway 30 (6,600 feet by 100 feet, concrete), at the Sidney Municipal Airport, Sidney, Nebraska. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. There were no injuries to the pilot, or his three passengers. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Ft. Collins, Colorado. In his written report, the pilot stated that he lifted off at 65 knots airspeed and started to climb. He stated that when he had climbed to an altitude of about 50 feet above the ground, the airplane, "went into a stall [and] settled back to [the] runway striking [the] left wing." In the report, the pilot listed no mechanical failure of the airplane. No preexisting anomalies were found during a postaccident examination of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSidney Municipal (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length6600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739VN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 7 kt, gusting 16 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data