Accident Details
On May 11, 2023, at about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, registration N1596E, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain following a takeoff attempt at South Albany Airport (4B0) near South Bethlehem, New York. The private pilot and one passenger suffered serious injuries, while a second passenger incurred minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Takeoff Sequence
A pilot-rated witness observed the accident airplane as it began its takeoff from runway 19. The runway, 2,853 feet long and 60 feet wide, consisted of asphalt. Approximately 15 minutes earlier, another Cessna 172 had performed a tailwind takeoff on the same runway without incident, starting its roll from the beginning of the runway. The accident airplane, however, initiated its takeoff from an intersection, leaving an estimated 2,293 feet of runway remaining. The wind was reported as an approximate 9-knot tailwind, gusting to 13 or 14 knots.
Impact and Wreckage
The airplane subsequently impacted a field near the departure end of runway 19 and came to rest upright. An examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The inspector noted that the flaps were in the retracted position and found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions. After the wreckage was moved to a storage facility, recovery personnel were able to rotate the propeller by hand, confirming powertrain continuity to the rear accessory section, and achieved thumb compression on all cylinders.
Weight and Balance
Review of the airplane's weight and balance data indicated a useful load of 820 pounds. The reported occupant weights totaled approximately 740 pounds, leaving 80 pounds for fuel and baggage. The amount of fuel on board and the weight of the baggage were not determined.
Performance Considerations
Performance data from the pilot operating handbook for the make and model showed that, at maximum gross weight and under the reported wind and temperature conditions, the airplane required about 2,300 feet of runway to take off and clear a 50-foot obstacle. No performance data were available for tailwinds greater than 10 knots or for weights above the maximum gross weight.