NORA SPRINGS, IA, USA
N6094R
CESSNA 172G
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WINDS WERE FROM 360 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. AT FIRST, HE DECIDED TO TAKE OFF TO THE WEST, BUT LATER DECIDED TO TAKEOFF TO THE EAST. NEAR THE EAST END OF THE RUNWAY, THERE WAS A 30 FOOT HIGH POWERLINE AND BUILDING TO THE NORTH. THE AIRPLANE CLEARED THE POWERLINE, BUT THE AIRSPEED CONTINUED TO DECREASE. THE PILOT SAID HE NOTED A FAINT SOUND OF THE STALL WARNING HORN AS THE LEFT WING DROPPED. THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED OVER ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. THE PILOT HAD USED THE SAMPLE WEIGHT THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK, INSTEAD OF USING THE EQUIPMENT LIST WEIGHT.
On November 25, 1995, at 0813 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 172G, N6094R, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground shortly after takeoff. The pilot and three passengers reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed Spotts Fields, Nora Springs, Iowa, at 0813 cst. The pilot stated that the winds were reported at 360 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot decided to takeoff to the west, but after clearing the runway of cattle, decided to takeoff to the east. On the east end of the runway there is a 30 foot powerline and a building to the north along with tall evergreen trees. The pilot stated, "...didn't realize the building spot (with evergreens) would stop my north breeze of air just as I was approaching the high lines. I cleared the high line but lost my lift [stall]... with the airspeed continually reducing there was a faint sound of the stall warning horn then the left wing dropped... ." A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) represented the NTSB during the on-scene investigation. The PMI's written report states that the airplane was operated over its maximum allowable gross takeoff weight, and that the pilot used the sample weight out of the Pilots Operating Handbook, instead of using the equipment list weight for N6094R. The equipment list, which was not in the airplane, was found in a filing cabinet at Forest City Aviation. There was a difference of 62 pounds more than what is listed on the sample empty weight.
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in loss of airspeed and a stall/mush as he was maneuvering to avoid obstructions off the end of the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind condition, high obstructions, and the airplane's excessive gross weight.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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