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August 18, 2018 · Cessna 172 S · N893JA

Addison, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 2018
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Addison, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172 S (2009)
Tail Number
N893JA
Operator
Us Sport Aircraft
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA344

The pilot reported that, shortly after departing on a discovery flight, the airplane began veering left. He applied right rudder and aileron; however, the airplane continued to veer left. He recalled hearing the stall warning horn and stated that he lowered the nose and adjusted the trim, but the airplane continued in a nose-down position and impacted the ground. A video of the accident flight showed the airplane in a high-pitch attitude shortly after takeoff, followed by the left wing dropping and a rapid descent, consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Given that the pilot had just taken off, there was insufficient altitude to recover from the stall. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. A postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The examination revealed a flap setting of 30°. Weight and balance calculations determined that the airplane was loaded about 138 lbs over its maximum gross weight, which, in combination with the flap setting during takeoff, would have adversely affected the airplane’s climb rate. In an attempt to maintain a positive rate of climb, the pilot inadvertently exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack and aerodynamically stalled the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flap setting for takeoff and subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing was the overgross state of the airplane.

Full Narrative

On August 18, 2018, about 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S airplane, N893JA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Addison, Texas. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 discovery flight. The pilot stated that, before departing Addison Airport (ADS), Addison, Texas, on the discovery flight with two passengers on board, he completed a weight and balance calculation on his phone and determined they were within the center of gravity limits for the airplane. He stated that the fuel had been “topped off” (56 gallons) by the prior flight instructor. The pilot explained that he cycled the flaps twice during his preflight inspection, once to ensure they fully extended and retracted, and a second time to visually inspect the rods and roller tracks. No issues were identified during the preflight inspection. The pilot reported that the engine performed “normally” on takeoff until the airplane began veering to the left. He applied right rudder and aileron. The controls felt normal with no resistance, but the airplane continued to veer over the grass toward the taxiway. The pilot recalled hearing the stall warning horn sound; he lowered the nose and adjusted the trim. He tried to keep the nose up, but the airplane continued in a nose-down position and impacted the dirt. The pilot recalled the airplane’s nose had started to lift prematurely when he applied power and he attempted to push it down before liftoff. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. A surveillance video from a tenant at ADS showed the airplane in a high-pitch attitude shortly after takeoff. As the airplane moved into the center of the video frame, its pitch attitude remained consistent until the left wing dropped, followed by a quick descent. The airplane impacted the ground left wing first. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The flap actuator indicated a flap setting of 30°. A weight and balance calculation based on the available loading information revealed that the takeoff gross weight was about 2,688 lbs; the maximum gross weight of the airplane was 2,550 lbs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportADDISON (0nm NE)
Runway15
Runway Length7203 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 S
Tail NumberN893JA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUs Sport Aircraft
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Serious
Crew 3Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.91 inHg
Observation Time22:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data