N5551R

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA 172FS/N: 17253138

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, May 5, 2012
NTSB Number
ERA12CA320
Location
Cambridge, NY
Event ID
20120505X75253
Coordinates
43.052501, -73.363052
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a takeoff in variable crosswind conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N5551R
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17253138
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1965
Model / ICAO
172FC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CAMBRIDGE VALLEY FLYING CLUB INC
Address
PO BOX 134
PLAINS ROAD
Status
Deregistered
City
SHUSHAN
State / Zip Code
NY 12873-0134
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot completed one full-stop takeoff and landing on the 2,100-foot-long turf runway in order to observe the winds and "refresh" himself with the operation of the airplane. Two passengers then boarded the airplane for a local flight. The pilot taxied the airplane back to the runway and prepared for a short field takeoff technique. The airplane lifted off the runway in about 900 feet, and the pilot crabbed the airplane slightly right towards the crosswind. About 30 feet above the runway, he leveled the airplane and attempted to correct the airplane's lateral position towards the centerline. About that time, the airplane's nose landing gear impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. Witnesses reported to the pilot that the airplane's tail lifted as the wind changed to a quartering tailwind during the takeoff, just before the nose landing gear impacted the ground.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA320