CESSNA 170 near Cottonwood Falls, KS — 2009-02-07

Probable cause

The decision of the pilot to attempt operations outside the forward center of gravity limit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an inadequate runway for the conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted a takeoff from a 2,300-foot-long dry turf runway with a five-knot crosswind from the right side. A witness stated that the airplane never seemed to gain momentum, its tail did not raise during the take off, and its brakes locked at the last minute before hitting the fence at the end of the runway. The airplane then flipped over on its back causing damage to the right wing, vertical fin, and rudder. The pilot suffered minor injuries and the second pilot was not injured. A postaccident weight and balance calculation showed that the 575-pound combined weight of the two front seat occupants placed the airplane outside the allowable forward center of gravity limit. A postaccident performance planning calculation showed that on a grass/turf runway the takeoff distance would be approximately 2,299 feet with zero flaps, no wind, and with weight and balance within limits.

NTSB coding

• Runway excursion · Takeoff
• Decision Making / Judgment

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