On August 12, 1987, a Cessna 172 (registration N98494) was involved in an aviation accident near Binghamton, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's loss of control during the takeoff phase of a touch-and-go landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A student pilot lost control of the aircraft at approximately 100 feet during a touch-and-go maneuver, resulting in a left spin and ground impact with no preimpact mechanical failures detected.
What happened
During a training flight involving a touch-and-go landing sequence, the student pilot experienced a loss of aircraft control at an altitude of approximately 100 feet. Following this loss of control, the aircraft entered a spin to the left and subsequently collided with the ground, striking first with its left wing. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel before coming to rest in an upright position.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact part failure or mechanical malfunction that could have contributed to the accident. The structural damage was consistent with the described ground impact sequence.
Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of control during the takeoff phase of a touch-and-go landing.
What happened in the 12 Aug 1987 Cessna 172 accident near Binghamton, NY?
A student pilot lost control of the aircraft at approximately 100 feet during a touch-and-go maneuver, resulting in a left spin and ground impact with no preimpact mechanical failures detected.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 12 Aug 1987 involved a Cessna 172, registration N98494, at Binghamton, NY.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The student pilot's loss of control during the takeoff phase of a touch-and-go landing.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…