# NTSB FTW91LA157: Cessna 172K, N7043G, Fisher, AR, August 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1991, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Fisher, AR
- Coordinates: 35.489959, -90.969696 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4900&lon=-90.9697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE DATA TO COMPUTE THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose over, descent

## Analysis

A 365 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A 2,100 FOOT STRIP, UNDER A LIGHT WIND CONDITION AND A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF 2400 FEET. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD MADE SEVERAL FLIGHTS FROM THE SAME STRIP, UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ROTATED THE AIRPLANE ABOUT THE SAME POINT THAT HE USUALLY ROTATED, AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE BUT FAILED TO CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A LEVEE AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP AND FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE PILOT DID NOT CONSULT THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE DATA TO COMPUTE THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE. TAKEOFF DISTANCE TO CLEAR AN OBSTACLE WAS 2,311 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7043G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7043G-1993-08-10), registration cancelled 1993-08-10, S/N 17258743 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258743
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herbert D. Ziegenhorn
- Registered owner: Herbert D. Ziegenhorn
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, runway 18, 2,100 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 365 total, 150 in this make and model, 345 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 24 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 19910826036749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910826036749A), Aug 26, 1991: Cessna 172K, Fisher, AR, Substantial damage. Took off from 2100 foot Private strip. Unable to climb,struck rice levee. Needed 2300 ft to clear obstacle.

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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