N9303D

On April 24, 1998, about 0718 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N9303D, registered to and operated by Comair Aviation Academy, Inc., collided with terrain while descending shortly after takeoff, from the Central Florida Regional Airport, Sanford, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI-PIC) and pilot-rated student (CFI trainee) sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The CFI-PIC stated that the planned flight was lesson 17 of 18, and he pre-briefed the CFI trainee that he was to perform a soft field takeoff. The CFI trainee performed a preflight of the airplane, started the engine, and performed an engine run-up before takeoff. During the takeoff with the CFI trainee manipulating the controls, full power then full aft elevator control input was applied. The airplane climbed to a maximum height of about 20 feet above ground level, then the CFI trainee lowered the nose to accelerate in ground effect. The CFI-PIC noted that the airplane was veering to the left and applied full right rudder. He then reduced power and the right wing dropped and impacted the ground, followed by the left wing. The airplane then came to rest upright about 180 degrees from the original heading. The CFI-PIC further stated that he did not look at the airspeed indicator which was on his side of the instrument panel and knew the flight was departing with a reported 6 knot tailwind. According to the Director of Operations for the airport, the airplane impacted on grass about 650 feet north of the runway and 2,200 feet from the runway threshold.

Examination of the airplane by a FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the aileron or elevator flight control cables. Additionally, the engine was removed from the airplane and the impact damaged propeller was replaced. The engine was started and found to operate normally. No determination could be made as to the rigging of the aileron flight controls due to the damage to both wings. According to the manager of maintenance operations, review of the aircraft logbook and the aircraft discrepancy write-up sheets from the day of the accident to April 16, 1997, revealed no entries pertaining to the aileron flight control system.

According to another student of the flight school, when flying this airplane and performing power-on and power-off stalls, full right rudder would not hold directional control and the left wing would stall first.

A weather observation taken at the airport about 4 minutes before the accident indicates in part that the wind was from 280 degrees at 6 knots. The flight was departing from runway 9R.