# NTSB CHI98LA188: Cessna 175A, N6847E, Norfolk, NE, June 1, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1998, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, NE
- Coordinates: 42.029895, -97.410316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0299&lon=-97.4103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA188

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudged wind conditions and his not obtaining/maintaining compensation for wind conditions.  A factor was a sudden wind shift.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

After takeoff the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain.  The pilot said that he believes that the airplane encountered a wind shift.  The airplane departed on runway 31.  The reported winds six minutes prior to the accident were 270 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 27 knots.

## Factual narrative

On June 1, 1998, at 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 175A, N6847E, operated by a private pilot descended into the terrain after liftoff from runway 31 (5,160' x 100' dry/asphalt) at Karl Stefan Memorial Airport, near Norfolk, Nebraska.  The airplane was destroyed on impact with the terrain and a post accident fire.  The pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries.  The pilot stated that the airplane may have encountered windshear and was unable to climb.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot said that the airplane lifted off at about 65 knots.  He said that when the airplane reached an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet, the airplane began to descend and he was unable to get the airplane to maintain flight.  He said, "I believe the sole cause of the accident to be a change in wind direction and/or velocity, complicated by large groves of trees to the west of the runway ... ."  He said that there was no mechanical failure or loss of power in the airplane.  He said that just prior to impact he extended the flaps to full.

The departure was on runway 31.  The winds recorded at the departure airport six minutes prior to the accident were 270 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 27 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6847E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6847E-2000-05-05), registration cancelled 2000-05-05, S/N 56347 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 175A
- Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56347
- Engines: Continental GO-300-C 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cynthia L. Tolle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OFK
- Destination: SPF, SPEARFISH, SD
- Airport: OFK, Stefan Municipal, runway 31, 5,160 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 70 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 23 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFK

## 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 19980601011569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980601011569A), Jun 1, 1998: Cessna 175A, Norfolk, NE, Destroyed. May have encountered windshear and was unable to climb. Impacted terrain. (.4)after takeoff the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain.…

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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