- Date
- November 25, 1995, 08:13 local (14:13 UTC)
- Place
- Nora Springs, IA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N6094RCessna 172G
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 21, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19951125038549A
- Case key
- 10159
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 inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in loss of airspeed and a stall/mush as he was maneuvering to avoid obstructions off the end of the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind condition, high obstructions, and the airplane's excessive gross weight.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that winds were from 360 degrees at 10 knots. At first, he decided to take off to the west, but later decided to takeoff to the east. Near the east end of the runway, there was a 30 foot high powerline and building to the north. The airplane cleared the powerline, but the airspeed continued to decrease. The pilot said he noted a faint sound of the stall warning horn as the left wing dropped. The airplane was being operated over its maximum allowable gross takeoff weight. The pilot had used the sample weight that was referenced in the pilot's operating handbook, instead of using the equipment list weight.
Factual narrative
On November 25, 1995, at 0813 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 172G, N6094R, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground shortly after takeoff. The pilot and three passengers reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed Spotts Fields, Nora Springs, Iowa, at 0813 cst.
The pilot stated that the winds were reported at 360 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot decided to takeoff to the west, but after clearing the runway of cattle, decided to takeoff to the east. On the east end of the runway there is a 30 foot powerline and a building to the north along with tall evergreen trees. The pilot stated, "...didn't realize the building spot (with evergreens) would stop my north breeze of air just as I was approaching the high lines. I cleared the high line but lost my lift [stall]... with the airspeed continually reducing there was a faint sound of the stall warning horn then the left wing dropped... ."
A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) represented the NTSB during the on-scene investigation. The PMI's written report states that the airplane was operated over its maximum allowable gross takeoff weight, and that the pilot used the sample weight out of the Pilots Operating Handbook, instead of using the equipment list weight for N6094R. The equipment list, which was not in the airplane, was found in a filing cabinet at Forest City Aviation. There was a difference of 62 pounds more than what is listed on the sample empty weight.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6094R
- Reported as
- Cessna 172G
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17253768
- Airframe hours
- 2,422
- Engine
- Continental O-300, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Bell, Douglas M.
- Registered owner
- Spotts, Marcus
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 8, 1995 · 30 hours before
- Departed
- 1Y6
- Destination
- IOW · Iowa City, IA
- Airport
- 1Y6 · Spotts Field, runway 9, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 45
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Unknown
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 300 total · 42 in this make and model · 5 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 28 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MCW, 9 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.