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NTSB Report

July 9, 2010 · Cessna 172 S · N919YA

Goddard, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 2010
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Goddard, KS
Aircraft
Cessna 172 S
Tail Number
N919YA
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA381

The pilot departed from a 2,200-foot grass strip with an 8-knot tailwind. There were 35-foot high power lines at the departure end of the airstrip, the grass was wet, and the first third of the runway sloped uphill. The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne further down the runway than he originally expected. He was concerned that he would not clear the power lines and initially attempted to fly under them; however, when the pilot saw a road grader driving across his flight path, he pitched up, added an additional 10 degrees of flaps, and attempted to fly over the power lines. After clearing the power lines, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, descended, and collided with the ground in a nose-low attitude. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation. Performance calculations showed the airplane would have required 2,181 feet of runway to clear a 50 foot obstacle for an 8 knot downwind takeoff on a dry grass runway. Because the runway was wet and the first third was uphill, the required distance would have been longer.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot did not maintain airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor preflight planning.

Full Narrative

On July 9, 2010, about 0920 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, single-engine land airplane, N919YA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from a private rural airport near Goddard, Kansas. The pilot, who was the only occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. At the time of the accident the airplane was departing for a flight to Colonel James Jabara Airport (AAO), Wichita, Kansas. The pilot reported that the 2,200 foot long grass strip had 35-foot power lines at the departure end of the runway, the grass was wet, and the first third of the runway sloped uphill. The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne further down the runway than he originally expected. He was concerned that he would not be able to clear the power lines and initially attempted to fly under them; however, when the pilot saw a road grader driving across his flight path, he pitched up, added an additional 10 degrees of flaps, and attempted to fly over the power lines. After clearing the power lines, the pilot felt the airplane vibrating and then noticed that his airspeed indication was zero. The airplane entered an aerodynamic stall, descended, and collided with the ground in a nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented had he considered the negative performance effects of the tailwind, the dew on the grass, and the slight uphill slope of the runway. In addition, the pilot reported that his pitch attitude was too high and that he may have forgotten to reset the engine mixture control to full rich. The pilot also reported that he thought the wind was calm. The 0853 surface weather observation at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT), Wichita, Kansas, located 8 miles northeast of the accident site, showed the wind was 010 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 15,000 feet, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point temperature 18 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.17 inches Hg. According to the performance section of the Cessna Information Manual, a short field takeoff would have required about 2,181 feet of runway to clear a 50 foot obstacle for an 8 knot downwind takeoff on a dry grass runway. An examination of the airplane showed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 CDT
Nearest AirportDunn Airstrip - Goddard Ks (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 S
Tail NumberN919YA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data