Introduction
On June 11, 2013, at approximately 2230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, registration N118JD, operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from Bowman Field (LOU) in Louisville, Kentucky. The private pilot and three passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot could not recall details of the accident but reported the altitude at the time was about 200 feet above ground level. Radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration showed the airplane was performing takeoffs and landings to runway 33. The airplane struck the ground approximately 430 feet from the departure end of the runway in a right-wing-low, nose-down attitude.
Personnel Information
According to FAA records, the 17-year-old pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land, issued on February 17, 2013. His most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on October 30, 2012. The pilot's logbook indicated as of May 19, 2013, he had accumulated 58.2 total flight hours, all in the same make and model. He had 9.6 hours of night flying experience, with 1.4 hours in the 90 days before the accident, including four night takeoffs and landings.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, high-wing, fixed tricycle-gear airplane was manufactured in 1975. It was powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150-hp engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed on March 1, 2013, at 8,173.5 total hours. The engine had about 1,145 hours since major overhaul. A 100-hour inspection was completed on May 14, 2013, at 8,322.77 total hours.
Meteorological Information
The 2253 recorded weather at LOU included wind from 160 degrees at 3 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 26°C, dew point 19°C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 29.95 inches of mercury. Official sunset was at 2106, end of civil twilight at 2138, and moonset at 2311. The moon was a waxing crescent with 8% illumination.
Wreckage and Impact Information
After impact, the airplane pivoted around the nose before coming to rest upright, nose down, on a golf course. Both propeller blades exhibited chordwise scratching. The wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination by an FAA inspector and a manufacturer representative found the flap actuator jackscrew measured about 4 inches, correlating to a 30-degree flap position. No malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation were identified.
Weight and Balance
The pilot informed an FAA inspector that he performed a weight and balance calculation prior to the flight, but did so mentally. Calculation of the airplane's weight and balance revealed a total weight of 2,414 pounds, exceeding the maximum allowable takeoff weight of 2,300 pounds. The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the Cessna 172M Pilot Operating Handbook both address weight and balance limitations and flap settings for takeoff; the latter states that flap settings greater than 10 degrees are not recommended for takeoff.