Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172F near Cambridge, NY — 2012-05-05

Final reportERA12CA320
Sign in to save
Date
2012-05-05
Location
Cambridge, NY, USA
Airport
1B8
Aircraft
CESSNA 172F
Registration
N5551R
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a takeoff in variable crosswind conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot completed one takeoff and landing to a full stop on the 2,100-foot-long turf runway to observe the wind and "refresh" himself with the operation of the airplane. Two passengers then boarded the airplane for a local flight. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and prepared to take off using a short-field takeoff technique. The airplane lifted off the runway after a takeoff roll of about 900 feet, and the pilot “crabbed” the airplane slightly right into the crosswind to track along the runway. About 30 feet above the runway, he leveled the airplane to “pick up speed” and tried to track the runway centerline. However, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Witnesses reported to the pilot that the airplane's tail lifted when the wind changed to a quartering tailwind during the takeoff, just before the nose landing gear impacted the ground.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

Related mishaps