On February 2, 1991, a Cessna 172P (registration N62746) operated by Maine Wing was involved in an aviation accident near Augusta, ME. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE AT AN IMPROPER SPEED, THEN ALLOWED THE CLIMB ANGLE TO BECOME TOO STEEP, CAUSING AN INADVERTENT STALL AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO ALLOW RECOVERY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with 130 hours of experience landed an aircraft on one runway before immediately attempting to take off from an intersecting runway with limited distance remaining.
What happened
Witnesses observed the airplane touch down and decelerate to taxi speed. Instead of exiting the active area, the pilot directed the aircraft toward an intersecting runway. At this point, approximately 400 feet of usable runway remained ahead.
The pilot elected to initiate a takeoff roll from this position. Witnesses reported that the aircraft lifted off at a notably slow airspeed and climbed at a steep angle. Shortly after becoming airborne, the nose pitched down abruptly. The aircraft then fell vertically to the ground.
At the time of the accident, the pilot held a total of 130 flight hours.
What happened in the 2 Feb 1991 Cessna 172P accident near Augusta, ME?
A pilot with 130 hours of experience landed an aircraft on one runway before immediately attempting to take off from an intersecting runway with limited distance remaining.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Feb 1991 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N62746, operated by Maine Wing, at Augusta, ME.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT ROTATED THE AIRPLANE AT AN IMPROPER SPEED, THEN ALLOWED THE CLIMB ANGLE TO BECOME TOO STEEP, CAUSING AN INADVERTENT STALL AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO ALLOW RECOVERY. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE; THE PILOT FAILED TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY; AND THE PILOT'S LOW TIME AND TOTAL LACK OF…
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…