# NTSB FTW90LA158: Cessna 172M, N73571, Broken Arrow, OK, August 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1990, 20:45 local (Aug 20, 1990, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Broken Arrow, OK
- Coordinates: 36.039901, -95.879508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0399&lon=-95.8795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA158

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - airport facility
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED LEFT OFF THE SOD RUNWAY DURING A DUSK TAKEOFF. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR AND THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK A METAL RUNWAY EDGE MARKER DURING LIFT OFF. THE AIRCRAFT THEN TRAVELLED ABOUT 150 FEET AND STRUCK A TREE AT ABOUT 20 FOOT LEVEL WHICH WAS LEFT OF THE RUNWAY BOUNDARY. UPON STRIKING THE TREE, THE AIRPLANE SPUN AROUND AND IMPACTED NOSE DOWN. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LIFTED THE NOSE GEAR OFF AFTER ABOUT A 500 FOOT GROUND ROLL AND WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE OVER ROTATED. THE RUNWAY WAS 1,225 BY 60 WITH GRASS LENGTH VARYING FROM 6 TO 14 INCHES. PERFORMANCE DATA INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE REQUIRED 830 FEET FOR TAKEOFF AND 1,325 FEET TO CLEAR A 50 FOOT OBSTACLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73571](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73571-1992-12-08), registration cancelled 1992-12-08, S/N 17267548 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267548
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Proflight
- Registered owner: Judith K. Adams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 87F
- Destination: NONE, EUFAULA, OK
- Airport: 87F, 81st St. Airpark, runway 18, 1,260 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 4 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 15 nm away

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.