# NTSB ATL97LA043: Cessna 172M, N9987V, Brooksville, FL, February 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 20, 1997, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Brooksville, FL - Coordinates: 28.479682, -82.510673 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4797&lon=-82.5107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3824/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA043 ## Probable cause inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and his failure to ensure that adequate airspeed was obtained/maintained, which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground. The crosswind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - short field takeoff/procedure - initiated, dual student (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/mush - encountered (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The flight instructor (CFI) stated that a maximum performance/short field takeoff was being attempted. During takeoff, the airplane lifted off at the power-on stall speed, 35 knots, and climbed to approximately 30 feet above the ground. At 30 feet, the 'airplane began to mush', and the certified flight instructor (CFI) took the controls. Although he maintained full power, the airplane continued to descend and slowly turn to the left. According to a witness, the airplane stalled and drifted left in a strong crosswind. The CFI reported the winds were from approximately 120 degrees at 10 knots. Rescue personnel commented the winds were from the south. ## Factual narrative On February 20, 1997, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172M, N9987V, collided with the ground during takeoff from the Hernando County Airport, Brooksville, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the instructional flight. The airline transport pilot certified flight instructor (CFI) had serious injuries, and the private pilot dual student received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was St. Petersburg, Florida, at 1330. According to the pilot in command, his student had completed a series of commercial maneuvers and was planning to complete a number of takeoffs and landings. The CFI and his student made one "successful landing", and they taxied back for a maximum performance takeoff. The aircraft was equipped with a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) kit. As they started their takeoff roll, "the windsock was about half erect with a direction approximately 30 degrees off the right side of the nose". The CFI commented the flaps were correctly set for the maximum performance takeoff, the nose rotated properly, and the airplane began to climb. At approximately 30 feet above the ground, "the aircraft began to mush", and the CFI took the controls. Although he added full power, the airplane continued to descend and slowly turn to the left. The airplane struck the ground slightly nose down with very little bank. The stall warning horn never sounded, according to the CFI. The airplane lifted off at approximately 35 knots, according to the CFI. The power on stall speed in this airplane is 35 knots. The CFI also noted a wind decrease or shift would affect the STOL performance. According to a local witness, the airplane was observed doing maximum performance takeoffs. During the accident takeoff, according to the witness, the airplane assumed a very nose high attitude, stalled, and drifted left over the adjacent grass area in a strong crosswind. Just before ground impact, the nose of the airplane pulled up. The airplane collided with the ground nose wheel first, breaking off the nose wheel, then nosed over. The rescue personnel that arrived on the scene said the airplane was found nosed over on the north side of the runway. It was approximately 1400 feet east of the approach end of runway 9 and 250 feet north of the edge of the pavement. Within the airplane, all of the engine controls were in the full forward position. According to a sheriff on the scene, the wind was blowing from the south when they arrived. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9987V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9987V), registered now, S/N 172-64605 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264605 - Airframe hours: 7290 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Donahue - Registered owner: Royal Sons, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 19, 1997, 3 hours before - Departed: PIE, ST PETERSBURG, FL - Destination: BKV - Airport: BKV, Hernando County, runway 9, 7,001 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,480 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 5,333 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BKV, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970220001719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970220001719A), Feb 20, 1997: Cessna 172M, Brooksville, FL, Substantial damage. Aircrat was practicing touch and go landings when it stalled on takeoff and flipped over. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.