FORT GAINES, GA, USA
N35131
CESSNA 177B
THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE TO CALM AN UPSET CHILD WHO WAS ON HIS FIRST AIRPLANE RIDE. AFTER THE CHILD HAD BEEN CALMED THE AIRPLANE WAS REBOARDED AND A DEPARTURE ATTEMPTED FROM THE GRASS STRIP ON RUNWAY 19. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE WEST AT ONE KNOT. THE NEAREST WX REPORTING FACILITY, 40 NMI EAST, REPORTED THE WIND AS 240 DEGREES AT FIVE KNOTS. AFTER LIFT OFF THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY, THEN LIFTED OFF AGAIN. AT THE SECOND TAKE OFF THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT RIGHT, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, AND HIT A TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
