# NTSB ATL99LA123: Cessna 172, N9785T, Houston, MS, September 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1999, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Houston, MS - Coordinates: 33.889263, -88.999702 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8893&lon=-88.9997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47291/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to switch the magneto switch to the both position before attempting a takeoff that resulted in the loss of engine power and resulted in the subsequent collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system,magneto - not switched (cause) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he completed the engine run-up procedure as he taxied to the runway for takeoff. He reported that all systems checked normal, but he believed he forgot to return the magneto switch to the both position before attempting the takeoff. He also said, he and his son had made several takeoffs from their private airstrip and they were usually airborne within the first half of the 1600-sod airstrip. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot. The post-accident examination of the airplane also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1999, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N9785T, collided with underbrush/trees and nosed over on the departure end of runway 18 at a private airstrip in Houston, Mississippi. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot received and his passenger were not injured. The flight departed Houston, Mississippi, at 1055. The pilot reported that he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane before it was removed from his hangar. Following the preflight inspection, the pilot taxied to runway 18 where he completed a normal engine run-up. During the attempted takeoff, the pilot recalled that the engine did not operate at the normal takeoff performance level. After liftoff from the 1600-foot sod airstrip, the pilot recalled that the airplane would not climb. The airplane collided with 30 foot tall trees and underbrush, and nosed over about 50 feet from the departure end of the runway. During a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he completed the engine run-up procedure as he taxied to the runway for takeoff. He reported that all systems checked normal, but he believed he forgot to return the magneto switch to the both position before attempting the takeoff. He also said, he and his son had previously completed several takeoffs from their private airstrip and they were usually airborne within the first half of the 1600-sod airstrip. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot. The post-accident examination of the airplane also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9785T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9785T-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 47585, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47585 - Airframe hours: 2136 - Engines: Continental O-300C 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Melvin C. Gann Sr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1999, 5 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, runway 18, 1,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TUP, 30 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 19990906039189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990906039189A), Sep 6, 1999: Cessna 172A, Houston, MS, Substantial damage. Airman took off from a grass strip 1600' at 1100AM did not clear bush at end of strip, left wing hit bush, slid sideways, and turned over. Aircraft damage… 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.