Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Greenville, ME — 2009-04-30

Final reportERA09CA280
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Date
2009-04-30
Location
Greenville, ME, USA
Airport
3B1
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N739RH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s premature rotation during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was repositioning his floatplane from a land-based airport to a seaplane base. The takeoff was performed using a dolly, towed by a pickup truck with a 60-foot rope. He stated that the tow vehicle accelerated to flying speed; however, he prematurely rotated. The airplane did not have enough airspeed for the pilot to be able to maintain control. He climbed to an altitude of approximately 60 feet, stalled the airplane, and subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings and firewall. The recorded wind at a weather station three miles west of the accident airport, about the time of the accident, was variable at 5 knots. The pilot reported that the engine was operating properly and that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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