# NTSB FTW82DA085: Cessna 172M, N1117U, Houston, TX, March 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1982, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.87018, -95.52983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8702&lon=-95.5298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - hidden obstruction(s) (cause)
  - runway maintenance - not maintained, airport personnel (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Nose over, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE DEMONSTRATION OF A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT'S TAIL LOWERED AFTER ENCOUNTERING A MODERATE DIP AT A RUNWAY INTERSECTION. THE TAIL TIE-DOWN RING SNAGGED A RUNWAY LIGHT CABLE WHICH HAD BEEN UNCOVERED BY RECENT RAINS. THE CABLE BROKE AT ONE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF ON A SOFT PART OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT TIPPED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1117U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1117U), registered now, S/N 17266852, built 1976 (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: 17266852
- Airframe hours: 1298
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
- Registered owner: J.R. Traylor
- Departed: T17, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: T17, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: T17, Weiser Airpark, runway 34, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,718 total, 152 in this make and model, 78 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH

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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