# NTSB CEN12CA422: Cessna 172K, N84279, Greers Ferry, AR, July 4, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2012, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Greers Ferry, AR
- Coordinates: 35.602222, -92.142501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6022&lon=-92.1425&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-LIT-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA422
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84225/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84225
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA422

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a positive rate of climb while taking off with a high density altitude.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airplane reached an altitude of about 80 feet above the ground during takeoff when it started to sink. The airplane descended, and the left wing contacted 20-foot trees, spinning the airplane around. The airplane then descended to the ground, coming to rest alongside a building. The left wing was substantially damaged. The field elevation at the departure airport was 630 feet and density altitude was calculated to be 3,790 feet. The pilot stated that taking off with a cooler temperature and less weight in the airplane could have prevented the accident. The pilot did not recognize and compensate for the high density altitude that existed at the time of takeoff.

## Factual narrative

The airplane reached an altitude of approximately 80 feet above the ground on takeoff when it encountered an “air pocket.” The airplane descended and the left wing contacted 20 foot tall trees. The airplane descended to the ground coming to rest alongside a building. The left wing was substantially damaged. The density altitude was calculated to be 3,790 feet. The pilot recommended that taking off with a cooler temperature and less weight in the airplane could have prevented the accident. The pilot did not recognize and compensate for the high density altitude condition that existed at the time of takeoff.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84279](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84279-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 17258406, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258406
- Airframe hours: 2689
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clyde B. Malone
- Registered owner: Clyde B. Malone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 2011, 20 hours before
- Departed: 33AR, Greers Ferry, AR
- Destination: 8M2, Weiner, AR
- Airport: 33AR, Sky Point Estates, runway 09, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 8, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 589 total, 79 in this make and model, 581 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 104 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: BVX, 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 20120704012929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120704012929A), Jul 4, 2012: Cessna 172K, Edgemont, AR, Destroyed. On July 4, 2012, N84279 attempted to take-off from a grass strip (33AR), a 2300 foot long strip at elevation 535 feet. The aircraft was being operated by the…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84225. 540 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 540 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.