FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Airplane Strikes Trees After Stall During Initial Climb (N3811L)

Greenville, MI, US

On September 7, 2003, a Cessna 172G (registration N3811L) was involved in an aviation accident near Greenville, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate takeoff procedure with the use of 20 degrees of flaps. Contributing factors were the interrelated effects of high aircraft weight, the density altitude, and the relative humidity. An additional factor was the trees. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane was substantially damaged after impacting trees and terrain during initial climb from a 4,200-foot runway. The pilot reported stalling after takeoff with flaps set to 20 degrees.

Accident Overview

The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain during initial climb from a 4,200-foot long hard surfaced runway.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that the airplane had full fuel and 3 passengers. For the takeoff, he selected 20 degrees of flaps, rotated at about 60 miles per hour, and kept the airplane in ground effect to gain airspeed. During the climb, the wings started to stall. The pilot lowered the nose to regain airspeed, but the airplane impacted 70-foot high trees at the departure end of the runway.

Airplane Flight Manual Recommendations

The airplane flight manual recommends no flaps for normal and obstacle clearance takeoffs, and flaps 10 degrees to shorten ground run. It does not recommend flap settings of 30-40 degrees.

Weather Conditions

Based on the airport's weather observation temperature data, the density altitude was 2,332 feet mean sea level with a relative humidity of 51 percent.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 7 Sept 2003 Cessna 172G accident near Greenville, MI?

An airplane was substantially damaged after impacting trees and terrain during initial climb from a 4,200-foot runway. The pilot reported stalling after takeoff with flaps set to 20 degrees.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 7 Sept 2003 involved a Cessna 172G, registration N3811L, at Greenville, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate takeoff procedure with the use of 20 degrees of flaps. Contributing factors were the interrelated effects of high aircraft weight, the density altitude, and the relative humidity. An additional factor was the trees.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030911X01524. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.