Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Dowagiac, MI — 2018-08-04

Final reportGAA18CA471
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Date
2018-08-04
Location
Dowagiac, MI, USA
Airport
C91
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N8994V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft-field runway, about 10 ft above the ground, the airplane drifted left. He added that the left wing "dipped" and contacted the ground and that the airplane then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have "stayed longer in ground effect." The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and that, about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed from runway 22.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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