- Date
- September 1, 2008, 16:26 local (21:26 UTC)
- Place
- Three Lakes, WI
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N12809Cessna 172M
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 22, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20080901850279A
- Case key
- 69043
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude to avoid the trees during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to ensure the security of the entrance door before takeoff and the unintentional opening of the door.
Findings · 5
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The airplane impacted trees after takeoff. The pilot reported that upon takeoff the airplane's door opened. He reported that he opened the window and attempted to close the door. He stated that he became distracted trying to close the door and the left wing of the airplane clipped trees. He stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.
Factual narrative
The airplane impacted trees after takeoff. The pilot reported that upon takeoff, the airplane's door opened. He reported that he opened the window and attempted to close the door. He stated that he became distracted trying to close the door and the left wing of the airplane clipped trees. He stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The airplane came to rest within the trees.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N12809
- Reported as
- Cessna 172M
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17262279
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320 SERIES, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed
- 40D · Three Lakes, WI
- Destination
- 15C · Bolingbrook, IL
- Airport
- 40D · Three Lakes Municipal Airport, runway 21, 3,400 × 120 ft, grass/turf
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Without waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 250 total · 220 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.