Casualties unknown

1999-06-14: Cessna 172P (N62800) — Wings Aloft — Easton, WA

Easton, WA, US

On June 14, 1999, a Cessna 172P (registration N62800) operated by Wings Aloft was involved in an aviation accident near Easton, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors include the student allowing the aircraft to climb too steeply at too low an airspeed, and the soft/rough terrain on which the aborted takeoff took place. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 6 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

During a soft field takeoff practice on a turf airstrip, the student's climb kept airspeed at 45 mph. After the aircraft stopped climbing, the instructor aborted the takeoff, causing the aircraft to drop from 20 feet, bending the nose gear and flipping over.

Incident Overview

A student pilot, under the supervision of an instructor, was conducting a simulated engine-out landing on a turf airstrip. After landing to the east, the instructor directed the student to perform a takeoff to the west using soft field techniques. The student had never practiced an actual or simulated soft field takeoff before.

Sequence of Events

While the aircraft idled at the east end of the 2,640-foot airstrip, the instructor explained the soft field takeoff procedures. The student then initiated the takeoff roll to the west. During the roll, the airspeed stabilized at approximately 45 MPH. The instructor advised the student that the aircraft would accelerate once it lifted off.

After liftoff, the student maintained a climb rate that kept the airspeed at 45 MPH. About halfway down the airstrip, after passing tree-top level, the aircraft stopped climbing. At that point, the instructor took control and lowered the nose in an attempt to gain airspeed. To accelerate, the instructor had to allow the aircraft to descend back toward the runway surface.

As the aircraft neared the surface, the instructor became uncertain whether it could clear the trees at the west end of the airstrip. He therefore aborted the takeoff and attempted to land on the remaining runway. During this attempt, the aircraft dropped from approximately 20 feet above the surface. The nose gear bent back, the nose dug into the soft terrain, and the aircraft flipped over onto its back.

Outcome

The aircraft came to rest inverted on the turf airstrip. The flight was a training exercise involving a simulated engine-out landing followed by a soft field takeoff. No further details are available from the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19115. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.