# NTSB FTW90LA115: Cessna 172N, N1071S, Chandeleur Isld, LA, June 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1990, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Chandeleur Isld, LA
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA115

## Probable cause

MINIMUM AIRSPEED REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT (VS) WAS NOT MAINTAINED. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FATIGUED CONDITION, AND PREMATURE LIFT OFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM THE ROUGH, SANDY BEACH. HE LIFTED THE NOSE GEAR OFF PREMATURELY TO AVOID DAMAGING THE NOSE GEAR FAIRING. AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE OVERCONTROLLED THE AIRPLANE AND ALLOWED IT TO STALL. THE WING DRAGGED THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED INTO THE WATER, INVERTED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS FATIGUED DUE TO LACK OF SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1071S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1071S-1990-10-09), registration cancelled 1990-10-09, S/N 17270503 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270503
- Airframe hours: 5009
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stringer, John D.
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1989, 59 hours before
- Destination: GPT, GULFPORT, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 789 total, 535 in this make and model, 789 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 82 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GPT, 15 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 19900606018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900606018929A), Jun 6, 1990: Cessna 172N, Chandeleur Isla, LA, Substantial damage. Rotated too soon on rough beach takeoff. In a stall wing hit sand. Aircraft cartwheeled.

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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