What happened
On June 22, 2018, a Cessna 172L, registration N7239Q, crashed during the initial climb following takeoff from Diamondhead Airport in Diamondhead, Mississippi. The flight was a solo instructional flight intended for traffic pattern work, consisting of full-stop landings. The student pilot was fatally injured in the accident.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles. Radar data indicated the aircraft had completed four left-hand traffic patterns prior to the final sequence. A witness observing the aircraft from a nearby interstate reported seeing the airplane at treetop height traveling slowly northbound. The witness noted that as the aircraft crossed the roadway, the nose pitched up, followed by a gradual pitch down and a left roll until the plane disappeared below the tree line. Shortly after, smoke was observed above the trees.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the cockpit, cabin, right wing, and empennette were destroyed by a post-crash fire. The left wing showed crushing on the leading edge, and striation marks were present, consistent with contact with a wire. The engine and propeller showed significant thermal damage, but the engine was found to be functional, with compression observed in all cylinders except the No. 2 cylinder, where the intake valve appeared not fully seated.
Examination of the flap actuator jackscrew revealed that the exposed threads corresponded to a full-flap, 40° extension setting. Analysis of the flight sequence, including radar data and witness accounts, suggested the pilot had performed a touch-and-go landing rather than the intended full-stop landing.