N9604H

On December 28, 1997, about 0830 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 172, N9604H, was destroyed when it collided with a pole during the initial climb from the Mansfield Municipal Airport, Mansfield, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured, one passenger received minor injuries, and a second passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight destined for West Palm Beach, Florida. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

Airport personnel reported that a notice to airman (NOTAM) was issued that the airport was closed for the purpose of removing snow and ice from the taxiways and runway. Prior to departure, the pilot was advised by airport personnel that the airport was closed to facilitate the removal of snow and ice on the runway. The airplane was then observed performing a high speed taxi down the runway with snow and ice covering the airframe. Airport personnel also stated that the pilot's microphone was stuck during the high speed taxi, and heard the pilot stating to his passengers that he was testing the runway, and that it was icy. The airplane was then observed to depart Runway 32, a 3,498 foot long, 75 foot wide, asphalt runway, covered with snow and ice. As the airplane climbed to about 300 feet above the ground, it turned to the left, in a nose down attitude, and disappeared behind trees.

The airplane collided with a pole, and impacted the ground coming to rest upright in a cleared area.

A Mansfield, Massachusetts Police Department officer was dispatched to the accident scene. In a written statement, the officer observed that both wings were bent, and covered with snow and ice. He also observed the propeller blades were bent backwards.

The wreckage, which was stored in a locked unheated hangar, was examined December 29th by a Cessna Aircraft Company, Air Safety Investigator, under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector. During the examination, about 1/2 inch coating of ice was observed covering the top of the wings. Both horizontal stabilizers exhibited thin patchy areas of ice along the entire surface. Thin patches of ice were also found on the fuselage center section, and the leading edge of the right wing strut. Fuel was observed in the fuel tanks, gascolator, and fuel filter with no evidence of ice. The FAA inspector had to scrape ice from the wings to open the fuel caps. During the examination there was no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

The weather at the time of the accident was reported as winds from 360 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles; a scattered layer of clouds at 15,000 feet; temperature 27 degrees Fahrenheit; and altimeter 29.74 inches of Mercury. The afternoon and night prior to the accident, precipitation at the airport between 1445 and 2045, was reported as mist, light rain, light rain and snow showers, and ending with light snow. The night before, and the day of the accident, the temperatures were below freezing.