Casualties unknown

1988-02-24: Cessna 172N (N5211E) — Florida Air Center, Inc. — Kissimmee, FL

Kissimmee, FL, US

On February 24, 1988, a Cessna 172N (registration N5211E) operated by Florida Air Center, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Kissimmee, FL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A training aircraft was observed at 2000 ft before disappearing; wreckage found inverted next morning. The CFI and student were killed on impact after striking 40-ft pine trees during initial climb from a cow pasture.

Incident Overview

A witness observed a training aircraft at approximately 2000 ft heading southwest, with the engine sound audible. About a minute later, the aircraft was seen inbound at approximately 50 ft, still with engine sound. The witness then heard a "poof" sound and saw the aircraft inverted. The witness did not report the incident, assuming that residents of nearby mobile homes would have reported any accident. However, the mobile homes were hunting cabins and were vacant at the time.

Wreckage Discovery

The wreckage of the inverted aircraft was discovered the following morning in a remote area. The aircraft had struck approximately 40-ft pine trees with the left wing while on an initial climb from a cow pasture, then rolled inverted. The trees are located on the north side of the pasture, and winds were northerly at the time.

Occupants

The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and his student were killed on impact.

Flight Details

The owner of the aircraft stated that the training flight was to include forced landing practice.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X25111. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.