History of Flight
On April 28, 2012, at 1210 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2559U, impacted terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Beckwourth, California. The private pilot was not injured; the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. He was departing from a private airstrip destined for Nervino Airport, Beckwourth, California.
Flight Details
The pilot reported departing from a dirt airstrip approximately 2,300 feet in length at an elevation of 4,879 feet mean sea level. The wind was estimated from the northeast at 3 to 4 knots, and the temperature was near 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Weight and balance calculations showed a takeoff weight of 1,922 pounds and a center of gravity of 38.2, within the utility category. The pilot calculated a ground run of 812 feet and recommended 10 degrees of flaps for a soft-field takeoff, with a rotation speed of 55/60 miles per hour. Due to the soft field, he believed a longer takeoff roll was needed to reach 55 miles per hour.
Before takeoff, the pilot extended flaps 10 degrees and leaned the mixture. Shortly after rotation, he initiated a gradual left turn, and the airplane rolled left. The pilot leveled the airplane, but airspeed decreased. Unable to climb or maintain altitude, he attempted to pitch the nose down to gain speed but realized insufficient altitude remained. He then decided to land in a field. The airplane touched down for approximately 30 feet, bounced once, and rolled about 180 feet as it slowed. The pilot held the nosewheel off the soft terrain. When the airplane slowed to 10 to 15 miles per hour, the nosewheel dug into the terrain, causing the airplane to nose over. The passenger's arm was broken. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
A witness estimated winds from 10 to 12 miles per hour from east to west at the time of the accident. The airplane departed from southwest to northeast. The airstrip had been constructed by the landowner about three weeks prior, and the property was not approved for an airstrip. The witness observed the airplane taxi from a building, power up, and depart. The airplane climbed to approximately 100 feet in level flight, then appeared to bank 90 degrees to the left while maintaining altitude, after which it lost altitude. The airplane became wings level prior to ground impact, traveled about 100 feet, and nosed over.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172D was manufactured in 1963. The pilot's operating handbook (POH) did not contain performance information for non-hard surface runways; such data was not included until 1967. The POH for the 172H, which has identical performance numbers, states: "For operation on a dry, grass runway, increase distances (both 'ground run' and 'total to clear 50 ft. obstacle') by 7% of the 'total to clear 50 ft. obstacle' figure."
Additional Information
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Safety Advisor, "Mastering Takeoffs and Landings," notes limitations of POH references for older aircraft and recommends adding 50 percent to the POH takeoff or landing distance over a 50-foot obstacle. The density altitude at the time was calculated to be about 5,880 feet.