- Date
- September 17, 1994, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place
- Russellville, AR
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N79897Cessna 172K
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 27, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940917028259A
- Case key
- 19162
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind during the takeoff ground roll. A factor was the crosswind.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During the takeoff ground roll the airplane departed the runway and hit a small dirt embankment near the taxiway causing the nose gear to separate from the airplane. The airplane came to rest on the opposite side of the taxiway. The crosswind component was approximately 10 knots.
Factual narrative
On September 17, 1994, at 1015 central daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N79897, was substantially damaged during takeoff at Russellville, Arkansas. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR 91 flight.
The following information was reported by the pilot. During the takeoff ground roll on runway 07, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane departed the runway, the pilot reduced power, regained directional control, and aborted the takeoff. The airplane then impacted a small dirt embankment along the taxiway, the nose gear separated, and the airplane "flew" across the taxiway. The airplane came to rest in the dirt on the opposite side of the taxiway. Official wind at the airport was from 200 degrees at 12 knots. The crosswind component on runway 07 was approximately 10 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N79897
- Reported as
- Cessna 172K
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17258232
- Airframe hours
- 2,263
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- River Valley Aviation Academy
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 9, 1994 · 60 hours before
- Departed
- MO6
- Destination
- HOT · Hot Springs, AR
- Airport
- M06 · Russellville, runway 7, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 66
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 117 total · 67 in this make and model · 63 as pilot in command · 22 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 20° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MO6
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N79897 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.