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April 21, 2018 · Cessna 120 NO Series · N1807V

Iola, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Iola, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 120 NO Series (1947)
Tail Number
N1807V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA221

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26-inch bush tires installed, he intended to perform several ground runs to pack the wet, snow-covered grass surface and then take off. During the start of the first ground run, the airplane accelerated quickly, and the pilot decided to take off. He reported that he believed that the airplane had entered an area of deeper snow and "thought it would be safer and more conservative to stop." He did not realize the airplane had become airborne. The pilot decreased the throttle to idle, and the airplane then decelerated and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. In the recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had "assumed that the conditions were unacceptable as I could not ascertain with absolute certainty that the surface was acceptable." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Snow/slush/ice covered surface-Effect on operation - C

Full Narrative

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with 26" bush tires installed, his intent was to perform several ground runs to pack the wet snow-covered grass surface, and then takeoff. During the start of the first ground run, the airplane accelerated quickly, and the pilot decided to takeoff. He reported that he did not realize the airplane had become airborne, rather, he believed that the airplane had entered an area of deeper snow, and he "thought it would be safer and more conservative to stop." The pilot decreased the throttle to idle, the airplane decelerated and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut. Per the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had, "assumed that the conditions were unacceptable as I could not ascertain with absolute certainty that the surface was acceptable." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportCentral County (0nm ENE)
Runway27
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120 NO Series
Tail NumberN1807V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 16 C
Altimeter30.42 inHg
Observation Time17:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data