# NTSB CHI96LA134: Cessna 172, N7627T, David City, NE, April 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1996, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: David City, NE - Coordinates: 41.24974, -97.119514 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2497&lon=-97.1195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10230 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10230/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA134 ## Probable cause the instructor pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft during a soft field takeoff. Factors were the gusting winds and the soft field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - soft field takeoff/procedure - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The instructor reported that prior to the first soft field takeoff he set 10 degrees of flaps, and used left aileron to compensate for a left crosswind. The winds were reported to be 290 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots. He reported that at about 50 miles per hour, the airplane became airborne. The stall warning horn sounded and he eased over on the nose in order to increase airspeed. A 'couple of seconds' after easing the nose over, the right landing gear hit the ground and the right wingtip hit a runway marker cone. Then the left landing gear hit hard and the instructor aborted the takeoff. The airplane veered off the runway into a muddy beanfield and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1996, at 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N7627T, was substantially damaged when it nosed over after the takeoff was aborted. The flight instructor and student were not injured. The local 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed from the Columbus Municipal Airport, Columbus, Nebraska, and flew to David City Municipal Airport, David City, Nebraska, to practice soft field takeoff and landings. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The instructor pilot reported that prior to the first soft field takeoff on runway 32 at David City Airport, he set 10 degrees of flaps, and used left aileron to compensate for a left crosswind. The instructor reported the winds were 290 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 20 knots. During takeoff roll, the instructor had the yoke pulled aft to keep the nose up. He reported that at about 50 miles per hour, the airplane became airborne. The stall warning horn sounded momentarily and he eased the nose over to increase airspeed. The instructor reported that a "couple of seconds" after easing the nose over, the left wing came up, the right landing gear hit the ground and the right wingtip hit a runway marker cone. He reported putting in more left aileron and left rudder to compensate and try get the airplane into the wind. The instructor reported that the left landing gear hit hard and he decided to abort the takeoff. He closed the throttle and applied maximum braking. The airplane veered off the runway into a muddy beanfield and nosed over. The student pilot was a certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (A&P). He reported that the engine and flight controls were operating properly prior to the accident. The instructor also reported that the engine was operating properly, however, he questioned whether a flight control malfunctioned. He reported that a gust of wind or a whirl wind had caused the loss of control on takeoff. An Aviation Safety Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the flight controls and reported that they exhibited continuity. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7627T (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47227 - Airframe hours: 3460 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Babka And Rodehorst - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1995, 9 hours before - Departed: OLU, COLUMBUS, NE - Airport: 93Y, David City Municipal, runway 32, 2,300 × 300 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 573 total, 472 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 311° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OLU, 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 19960418007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960418007869A), Apr 18, 1996: Cessna 172A, David City, NE, Substantial damage. Soft field demo. Early nose high liftoff. Problem gusty crosswind. Lost control. Aborted. Exited runway. Nosed over 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.