# NTSB FTW95LA052: Cessna 172P, N65275, Blanco, TX, November 21, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1994, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Blanco, TX
- Coordinates: 30.090635, -98.420654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0906&lon=-98.4207&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 June 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19310/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S USE OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE THE UPHILL TERRAIN, THE LONG VEGETATION, AND SHORT TAKEOFF AREA AVAILABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM AN UNIMPROVED 885 FOOT LONG FIELD, MARKED BY UPHILL CONDITIONS AND TALL GRASS, AND RINGED BY A FENCE, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE FENCE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE FENCE WITH THE NOSE GEAR AND NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Factual narrative

On November 21, 1994, at 1730 central standard time, a Cessna 172P, N65275, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Blanco, Texas.  The private pilot was not injured on this personal flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

In the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot stated that another pilot previously landed the airplane in an oat field due to a throttle malfunction.  The throttle was repaired and the pilot was going to fly the airplane out to its home base, about 1 1/2 miles to the north.  The pilot further reported that he checked the engine and "found it to work properly."  "Full power was obtained, but the aircraft was slow to gain altitude because of high grass."  The nose gear subsequently struck a fence at the end of the field and the airplane flipped over, coming to rest 170 feet from the fence.  The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the site, the field was 885 feet in length, uphill, and covered with grass one foot tall.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65275](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65275), registered now, S/N 17275719, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275719
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-02J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: White, Rickey L.
- Registered owner: Hangar Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1994, 3 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 899 total, 170 in this make and model, 861 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 19941121038799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941121038799A), Nov 21, 1994: Cessna 172P, Blanco, TX, Substantial damage. Tried takeoff in tall grass uphill on 800FT strip. Struck fence off end of strip. Nosed over.

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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