# NTSB CHI75DEM05: Cessna 177, N3262T, Dewitt, MI, August 14, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 14, 1974
- Place: Dewitt, MI · DEWITT, MI
- Location: 42.8388° N, 84.5838° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of DeWitt, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8388&lon=-84.5838&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI75DEM05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75DEM05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2776  74/8/14    DEWITT,MICH         CESSNA 177          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1940                    N3262T              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 55, 996 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            287 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MAPLE HEIGHTS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DEWITT,MICH                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO EXISTING WIND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED ACTION IN ABORTING TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: WET RUNWAY
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: HIGH VEGETATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        REMARKS- TOOK OFF DOWNWIND IN TALL GRASS.HIT OIL DRUM USED AS RWY MARKER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3262T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Maple Heights

## 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 19740814026009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740814026009A), Aug 14, 1974: Cessna 177, Dewitt, MI, Substantial damage. Took off downwind in tall grass. Hit oil drum used as rwy marker.

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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