Accident Overview
A private pilot, recently certificated, was operating a Cessna 172 with three friends on a local pleasure flight. According to a witness, shortly after takeoff the airplane began to drift, narrowly clearing a fuel tank and a trailer before rolling off to the left. The witness stated that the engine was running normally until the moment of ground impact.
Wreckage Examination
Investigators found the wreckage in a nearly vertical, nose-down attitude with the flaps in the retracted (up) position. The pilot had logged a total of 90 flight hours, with only 5 hours in the Cessna 172 make and model.
Weight and Balance Analysis
Post-accident weight and balance calculations estimated the takeoff gross weight to be approximately 2,474 pounds. The maximum allowable takeoff weight for this airplane was 2,400 pounds.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the source.
Safety Information
This accident underscores the importance of adhering to aircraft weight and balance limits to maintain controllability during critical phases of flight.