# NTSB CHI95LA233: Cessna 172, N53716, Motley, MN, July 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1995, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Motley, MN
- Coordinates: 46.349346, -94.189651 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3493&lon=-94.1897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA233

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a soft field takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff
  - soft field takeoff/procedure - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE STATED HE LIFTED THE AIRPLANE OFF THE GROUND AT 60 MPH AND STAYED ABOVE THE RUNWAY TO BUILD AIRSPEED. THE LEFT WING DIPPED AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO CORRECT THE DRIFT, THE AIRPLANE LOST AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE. HE SAID THE LEFT WING THEN BRUSHED THE RUNWAY FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT WING MAKING HARDER CONTACT. THE AIRPLANE THEN HIT HARD ON THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO A STOP.

## Factual narrative

On July 18, 1995, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N53716, registered to the Yankee Flying Club of Minneapolis, Minnesota, collided with the terrain during takeoff from Morey's Airport, Motley, Minnesota.  The local personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and three passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that he used soft field takeoff procedures.  He stated that at 40 mph the nosewheel lifted off the ground and at 60 mph the airplane lifted off.  He stated the main landing gear briefly touched down, but he lifted the airplane back off, staying above the runway to build up airspeed.  He reported, "Just below tree top level my left wing dipped.  I tried to correct this situation and I noticed that was drifting off to the right of the runway.  While trying to level the aircraft down the runway things started to deteriorate."  He reported that the airplane was losing airspeed and altitude then the left wing brushed the runway followed by the right wing making harder contact.  The airplane then "... hit hard on the runway and came to a complete stop."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53716](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53716), registered now, S/N 17274806 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274806
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Yankee Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 22Y
- Airport: 22Y, Morey Airport, runway 9, 2,720 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 324 total, 274 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRD, 22 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 19950718027989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950718027989A), Jul 18, 1995: Cessna 172P, Motley, MN, Substantial damage. Attempted soft field takeoff at gross weight. Lifted. Lowered nose to gain speed. Impacted grass strip nose first. (-23) pilot attempted soft field take-off on…

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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