# Accident 20020423010109A: Cessna 172RG, Russellvile, AR, April 23, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 23, 2002, 15:10 local time
- Place: Russellvile, AR
- Airport: Russellville Municipal Airport
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.6197° N, 91.0493° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6197&lon=-91.0493&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5388R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5388R-2002-10-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172RG (registry code 2072438, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI02FA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02FA113) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020423010109A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THUNDER AVIATION'S N5388R HAD JUST LIFTED OFF ON A TOUCH & GO FROM WASHINGTON MEMORIAL AIRPORT, WASHINGTON, MO WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS PREMATURELY RETRACTED BY ONE OF THE PILOTS. DURING RETRACTION A TIRE STRUCK THE RUNWAY PITCHING THE NOSE DOWN CAUSING THE PROP TO STRIKE THE RUNWAY APPROXIMATELY 2000 FEET DOWN THE 3200 FOOT LENGTH. THE PROP STRIKE LEFT 3 DEEP GROOVES OF 1/2 - 3/4 INCHES AND 16 SMALLER GROOVES IN THE ASPHALT. NTSB CALCULATIONS OF THE SPEED AT IMPACT ESTABLISHED THE GROUND SPEED AT 62 KNOTS FOR THE FIRST CONTACT. RATHER THAN LAND GEAR UP ON THE RUNWAY THE PILOTS ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. THEY REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET, 3/10 OF A MILE FROM THE RUNWAY WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN TO THE LEFT. IT IMPACTED THE SOFT CORN FIELD ALMOST VERTICALLY DIGGING A LINEAR IMPACT CRATER APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET WIDE, 18" DEEP, AND 24" ACROSS. IT BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR, LANDING ON ITS BACK WITH THE TAIL POINTING BACK AT THE RUNWAY. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT STUDENT WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE WITH A BROKEN NECK. THE CFI IN THE RIGHT SEAT SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES TO HANDS, LEGS AND HEAD.

## 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 CHI02FA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02FA113), Apr 23, 2002: Cessna 172RG (N5388R), Marthasville, MO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The inadequate supervision and the stall encountered by the certified flight instructor.

## Other reports on N5388R (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19911113055229I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911113055229I), Nov 13, 1991: Cessna 172RG (N5388R), Santa Rosa, CA. Pilot experienced engine difficulty. Executed an unscheduled landing in a field.
- [Accident 19900705038129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900705038129A), Jul 5, 1990: Cessna 172RG (N5388R), Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Student developed high sink rate after outer marker. CFI failed to check rate. Tail hit wires. Landed on runway.

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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