N7225A

On May 30, 2002, at 1758 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7225A, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from the Carey Airport (U65), Carey, Idaho. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured; the third passenger aboard the airplane sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement (attached) to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, from runway 25, the airplane experienced a loss of lift "...and started to decelerate." The pilot enriched the mixture and lowered the nose, however, the airplane continued to descend and subsequently collided with trees and terrain approximately 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.

A witness to the accident reported that he heard the accident airplane taking off from the Carey Airport. He reported that shortly thereafter, he heard what sounded like "... a tree shredding machine and looked out the window and saw the aircraft falling vertically and hitting the ground..."

Following the recovery of the airplane, a mechanic from Discount Aircraft, Deer Park, Washington, conducted an engine examination and reported the following: The engine was found attached to the engine mount assembly and firewall. Impact damage was noted to the frontal area of the engine, carburetor air box and ignition leads. All cylinders and overhead components were intact. The six cylinders developed compression when the crankshaft was rotated by hand. Valve train and accessory gear continuity was also established via crankshaft rotation. The gascolator and associated fuel lines were clear with no signs of contaminants or blockage. The magnetos were intact and produced spark, at the spark plugs, when rotated by hand. The spark plugs were removed and normal operating wear signatures were noted.

The Carey Airport (U65) field elevation is 4,783 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL). The turf runway (07/25) is 2,650 feet long, and 170 feet wide.

The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 10-15 knots. He reported that the temperature at the field was approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

At the time of the accident, the pilot and three passengers combined weight was approximately 690 pounds. The pilot reported that the airplane had approximately 26 gallons (156 pounds) of fuel onboard at the time of the accident.