# NTSB DFW05CA253: Cessna 172S, N5343U, Batesville, TX, September 29, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2005, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Batesville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.024166, -99.526947
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0242&lon=-99.5269&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: San Antonio, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA253

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tree.  A contributing factor was the gusty winds.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The 2,779-hour private pilot performed a short/soft field takeoff from a dirt road that was oriented in a northeasterly direction.  About 15 feet above ground level (agl) the single-engine airplane drifted to the right side of the road and the outer 12 inches of the right wing came into contact with branches from a mature mesquite tree.  As the airplane yawed and banked to the right, the pilot responded by applying full left aileron and rudder to no avail.  Shortly thereafter the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest in an upright position.  The pilot and sole passenger were able to egress the airplane unassisted.  There was no post-impact fire.  The wind was reported from approximately 60 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.  The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5343U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5343U-2012-03-20), registration cancelled 2012-03-20, S/N 172S9362 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172S
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S9362
- Airframe hours: 235
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ron Sprague
- Registered owner: Gendry and Sprague, P.C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2004, 20 hours before
- Departed: Batesville, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: left; flight hours: 2,779 total, 500 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 20050929027479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050929027479A), Sep 29, 2005: Cessna 172S, Uvalde, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC attempted a soft field takeoff on a hard surfaced farm road in winds of 10 knots gusting to fifteen knots. There were mesquite trees and scrub brush…

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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