Summary
On August 04, 2018, a Cessna 172 (N8994V) was involved in an accident near Dowagiac, MI. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. 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 bank control during takeoff.
The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft field runway, about 10 feet above the ground, the airplane drifted left. The left wing "dipped", contacted the ground and the airplane impacted terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, right elevator and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot added that he should have "stayed longer in ground effect."
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed on runway 22.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA471. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8994V.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft field runway, about 10 feet above the ground, the airplane drifted left. The left wing "dipped", contacted the ground and the airplane impacted terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, right elevator and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot added that he should have "stayed longer in ground effect."
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed on runway 22.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA471