Summary
On February 28, 2018, a Cessna 172 (N1118F) was involved in an accident near Gatesvile, TX. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during initial climb in a gusty condition.
The pilot reported that he performed a soft field takeoff from the left side of the turf runway where it was firmer.
The airplane climbed to 20ft above ground level where it encountered wind gusts from the right. The airplane drifted to the left, collided with the wind sock pole, and then impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The nearest METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 17kts and gusting to 22kts.
The pilot reported in the Recommendation section of the National Transportation Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, that the accident could have been prevented if he had initiated the takeoff from the center of the runway.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the...
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA146. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1118F.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during initial climb in a gusty condition.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he performed a soft field takeoff from the left side of the turf runway where it was firmer.
The airplane climbed to 20ft above ground level where it encountered wind gusts from the right. The airplane drifted to the left, collided with the wind sock pole, and then impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.
The nearest METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 17kts and gusting to 22kts.
The pilot reported in the Recommendation section of the National Transportation Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, that the accident could have been prevented if he had initiated the takeoff from the center of the runway.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA146