# NTSB CHI98LA141: Cessna 172M, N13834, Superior, NE, April 24, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1998, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Superior, NE
- Coordinates: 40.019943, -98.059089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0199&lon=-98.0591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA141

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign.  Factors associated with the accident were the sign which the airplane contacted and inadequate preflight planning/preparation.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - sign (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was taking off to the east on a road when the right wing contacted a sign alongside the road.  The pilot stated that a wind from the south caused him to compensate to the right at which time the wing contacted the sign.  The pilot continued the takeoff and make an uneventful landing at his intended destination airport.

## Factual narrative

On April 24, 1998, at 1445 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N13834, operated by a commercial pilot collided with a sign post while taking off from a road in Superior, Nebraska.  The pilot was not injured.  The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The pilot continued the flight and landed without further incident at the Superior Municipal Airport, Superior, Nebraska.

The pilot stated he made prior arrangements with the local authorities to land and takeoff from 8th street.  He stated he taught aviation classes and was taking the airplane to the school to use it as a teaching aid for the day.

The pilot reported the landing was uneventful and as the day progressed the winds became stronger out of the southeast.  He reported that at the end of the day he once again had people blocking the road and "Because of the strong wind, I taxied west into the next mile beyond what I originally intended, I wanted to make sure I was off the land and across the cornfield well before the trees."  He reported that during the takeoff roll a wind gust from the south (right) caused him to compensate to the south.  There was one "weight limit sign" along the right side of the road which the pilot said he had not removed.  During the takeoff roll the right wing of the airplane contacted the sign.  The pilot continued the takeoff and flew to the Superior Municipal Airport where an uneventful landing was made.

Inspection of the airplane revealed the sign contacted the right wing 11 inches inboard from the wingtip resulting in substantial damage to the wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13834](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13834), registered now, S/N 17263018, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263018
- Airframe hours: 1460
- Engines: Lycoming O-O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frederick C. Meyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1997, 20 hours before
- Destination: 12K

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 2,630 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 145° at 15 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

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.