# Accident 19980712016599A: Cessna 172L, Lapwai, ID, July 12, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 12, 1998, 19:50 local time
- Place: Lapwai, ID
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.3196° N, 116.7801° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3196&lon=-116.7801&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2885Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2885Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172L (registry code 2072432, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 170 total, 163 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA98LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA121) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980712016599A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4)THE PILOT REPORTED TO A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL THAT HE WAS INITIATING A SOUTHBOUND TAKEOFF WITH 20 DEGREES FLAPS FROM A FIELD OF 15 INCH HIGH GRASS NEAR HIS MOTHER'S RESIDENCE. HE REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTING OFF, A WHEEL STRUCK SOMETHING, AND IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A FENCE POST AND THEN TERRAIN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TOP OF A RAILROAD TIE IN THE GRASS.                                                     (-23)THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS INITIATING A TAKEOFF FROM A GRASS FIELD WHEN HE STRUCK SOMETHING JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS LIFTING OFF.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE POST APPROXIMATELY 300 FT FROM THE POINT OF LIFTOFF.  DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE NOSE WHEEL, RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR, AND RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR, AND RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABLILIZER WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA98LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA121), Jul 13, 1998: Cessna 172L (N2885Q), Lapwai, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning or preparation from unsuitable terrain. Factors include an embedded railroad tie in the takeoff path, and high vegetation..

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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