Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Houston, TX — 2017-04-11

Final reportGAA17CA232
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Date
2017-04-11
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Airport
DWH
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N92873
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s delayed attempt to abort the takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway overrun.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, before takeoff, the windsock showed "no significant wind" and that the control tower "confirmed using a southerly traffic pattern." He added that, during the takeoff from the waterway, the airplane initially accelerated as expected. He further added that "it became clear that the take-off run was not progressing as anticipated" and that he decided to abort the takeoff. He brought the power to idle and applied back pressure to the control yoke. The airplane slid onto the grass embankment at the end of the runway and came to rest on the adjacent taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather observations from the airport showed that, from about 20 minutes before the accident to 60 minutes after the accident, the wind varied in direction from 360° to 050°, and the speed varied from 4 to 11 knots, with a peak wind from 360° at 30 knots. The pilot departed waterway 17W.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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