N739RH

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172S/N: 17270741

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, April 30, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA09CA280
Location
Greenville, ME
Event ID
20090504X94836
Coordinates
45.463054, -69.551391
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s premature rotation during takeoff.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N739RH
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17270741
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
172C172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Analysis

The pilot reported he was repositioning his floatplane from a land based airport to a seaplane base. The takeoff was performed using a dolly, towed by a pickup truck with a 60-foot rope. He stated the tow vehicle accelerated to flying speed; however, he prematurely rotated. The airplane did not have enough airspeed for the pilot to be able to maintain control. He climbed to an altitude of approximately 60 feet, stalled the airplane, and subsequently impacted the ground. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings, and firewall. The recorded wind at a nearby weather station, located three miles west of the accident airport, about the time of the accident, was variable at 5 knots. The pilot reported that the engine was operating properly and that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA280