# NTSB CHI01LA106: Cessna 172RG, N6448V, Sunfield, MI, January 31, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 2001, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Sunfield, MI
- Coordinates: 42.760898, -84.989219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7609&lon=-84.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA106

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and the unsuitable terrain for takeoff encountered.  Factors included the slushy runway and the snowbank.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - slush covered (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported the airplane was substantially damaged during takeoff when the left main gear encountered slushy snow that pulled the airplane to the left into a snowbank along the left side of the runway.  The pilot reported the airplane was pulled into the deeper snow and the airplane went up on its nose and right wingtip.

## Factual narrative

On January 31, 2001, at 1300 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172RG, N6448V, was substantially damaged during takeoff when the left main gear encountered slush on the runway and the airplane hit a snowbank on the left side of the runway and tipped up on the right wing.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing from runway 27 (3,000 feet by 50 feet, grass, wet) at the Frank Voshell private airstrip near Sunfield, Michigan, with the Hastings Airport (9D9), Hastings, Michigan, as the final destination.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported, "...the left main gear encountered slushy snow, pulling the plane to the left into a snowbank along left side of runway, pulling the plane into the deeper snow, tipping the plane down and to the right damaging the prop and right wing tip."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6448V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6448V-2010-08-02), registration cancelled 2010-08-02, S/N 172RG0709, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0709
- Airframe hours: 2576
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel Hamilton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2001, 0 hours before
- Departed: Sunfield
- Destination: 9D9, Hastings, MI
- Airport: Frank Voshell, runway 27, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review March 6, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 630 in this make and model, 784 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 18 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 20010131004539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010131004539A), Jan 31, 2001: Cessna 172RG, Sunfield, MI, No damage. (-23) The accident occurred on 1/31/01. Mr. Hamilton was attempting to take-off and the runway surface was snow and slush covered. The left tire went through a…

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.

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