# NTSB FTW90FA126: Cessna C172, N179FR, Fort Worth, TX, June 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1990, 19:31 local (Jun 30, 1990, 00:31 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.750267, -97.329826 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7503&lon=-97.3298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA126

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW PUBLISHED PROCEDURES WHEN HE ELECTED TO TAKE-OFF WITH FULL FLAPS.

## 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
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A VISUAL FIGHT RULES DEPARTURE FROM THE AIRFIELD THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF WITH FULL FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT DESIGN CRITERIA DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR THIS TYPE OF TAKE-OFF AND ENGINE POWER IS INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT FLIGHT IN THIS CONFIGURATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N179FR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N179FR-1992-12-21), registration cancelled 1992-12-21, S/N 17273136 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7273136
- Airframe hours: 7033
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Business Air Inc Ltd
- Registered owner: Wilkes, Floyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 12, 1990, 100 hours before
- Departed: FTW
- Destination: PWA, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Airport: FTW, Meacham Field, runway 16, 7,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 9 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 1 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 19900629022789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900629022789A), Jun 29, 1990: Cessna 172N, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Tried to depart with full flaps. Unable to climb,struck trees and powerline.

## Other investigations on N179FR (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW87LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA216), Sep 13, 1987: Cessna 172 (N179FR), Edmond, OK, substantial damage

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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