Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172D near Beckwourth, CA — 2012-04-28

Final reportWPR12LA189
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Date
2012-04-28
Location
Beckwourth, CA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172D
Registration
N2559U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing from a 2,300-foot-long dirt airstrip. The pilot reported that, based on his pretakeoff calculations, he configured the airplane with 10 degrees of flaps for a soft-field takeoff and that, due to the soft terrain, the airplane required a longer-than-normal takeoff distance. Shortly after rotation, the pilot initiated a gradual left turn. According to a witness, when the airplane was about 100 feet above the ground, it rolled farther left, to about a 90-degree bank. Unable to climb or maintain altitude, the pilot leveled the wings and pitched the nose down in an attempt to regain airspeed; however, he realized there was insufficient altitude, and he landed the airplane in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff due to insufficient altitude and airspeed.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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