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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 5, 2016 · Cessna 172 S · N124ME

Henderson, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Henderson, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 172 S (2000)
Tail Number
N124ME
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16CA288

The pilot reported that during the initial climb after taking off from a wet grass runway, he believed that the airplane would not clear the trees located at the end of the runway. He further reported that he aborted the takeoff by pushing the nose of the airplane down and reducing power to idle. Subsequently, the airplane touched down hard in a nose low attitude, which resulted in a nose gear collapse and propeller strike on the runway. The firewall and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge requested the pilot to provide the weight and balance calculations from the accident flight. The pilot could not produce a copy of the actual weight and balance, but provided the weights for the occupants and the fuel on board. According to the information provided, the estimated airplane weight and balance should have been within the manufacture's limitations. According to the manufacture's takeoff performance planning charts, the estimated ground roll should have been 1,138 feet and the distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle should have been 1,680 feet; the runway used was 3,000 feet in length with trees located at the end of the runway. The manufacturer's takeoff performance planning charts did not provide information for departing on wet grass surfaces. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook in part states: "Soft surfaces or long, wet grass usually reduces the airplane's acceleration during the takeoff roll so much that adequate takeoff speed might not be attained if normal takeoff techniques were employed." It is likely that the wet grass increased the ground roll distance, which influenced the pilot's decision to abort the takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing and nose landing gear collapse.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that during the initial climb after taking off from a wet grass runway, he believed that the airplane would not clear the trees located at the end of the runway. He further reported that he aborted the takeoff by pushing the nose of the airplane down and reducing power to idle. Subsequently, the airplane touched down hard in a nose low attitude, which resulted in a nose gear collapse and propeller strike on the runway. The firewall and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge requested the pilot to provide the weight and balance calculations from the accident flight. The pilot could not produce a copy of the actual weight and balance, but provided the weights for the occupants and the fuel on board. According to the information provided, the estimated airplane weight and balance should have been within the manufacture's limitations. According to the manufacture's takeoff performance planning charts, the estimated ground roll should have been 1,138 feet and the distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle should have been 1,680 feet; the runway used was 3,000 feet in length with trees located at the end of the runway. The manufacturer's takeoff performance planning charts did not provide information for departing on wet grass surfaces. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook in part states: "Soft surfaces or long, wet grass usually reduces the airplane's acceleration during the takeoff roll so much that adequate takeoff speed might not be attained if normal takeoff techniques were employed." It is likely that the wet grass increased the ground roll distance, which influenced the pilot's decision to abort the takeoff.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 CDT
Nearest AirportThe Bluffs (0nm N)
RunwayS
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 S
Tail NumberN124ME
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · None
Crew 2None
Crew 3None
Crew 4None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data