On April 28, 1990, a Cessna 172A (registration N7616T) operated by Stephen G. Burish,jr. was involved in an aviation accident near Mt. Pleasant, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a soft field takeoff from a 2000-foot turf runway, the airplane encountered a sudden wind shift at liftoff, blowing it off the side and down an embankment, resulting in ground impact.
Accident Circumstances
The pilot was conducting a soft field takeoff from a 2000-foot long turf runway that sloped to the right. Winds at the time were reported as approximately 10 degrees left of the nose at 3 to 5 knots. At liftoff, the wind shifted to approximately 60 to 70 degrees from the left at 16 knots.
Accident Sequence
As a result of the wind change, the airplane was blown to the right, off the side of the runway and down an embankment. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane impacted nose first into the ground.
Witness Reports
A pilot who landed a few minutes after the accident reported that the winds were varying 90 degrees in direction and gusting.
What happened in the 28 Apr 1990 Cessna 172A accident near Mt. Pleasant, PA?
During a soft field takeoff from a 2000-foot turf runway, the airplane encountered a sudden wind shift at liftoff, blowing it off the side and down an embankment, resulting in ground impact.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Apr 1990 involved a Cessna 172A, registration N7616T, operated by Stephen G. Burish,jr., at Mt. Pleasant, PA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.
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