# NTSB FTW95LA104: Cessna 172H, N2610L, Mountain View, AR, January 31, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 1995, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Mountain View, AR - Coordinates: 35.869747, -92.109222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8697&lon=-92.1092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19346 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19346/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA104 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A DOWNWIND RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF, HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - attempted, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis A PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO DEPART FROM AN ABANDONED GRASS AIRSTRIP WHICH WAS 4,500 FEET LONG. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE USED 2,400 FEET FOR THE TAKEOFF AND THAT THE ACCELERATION WAS POOR DUE TO TALL WET GRASS. HE DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WHEN HE WAS WITHIN 600 FEET OF THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE END OF THE STRIP, CROSSED A DITCH, AND IMPACTED TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END. A 10 TO 20 KNOT TAILWIND PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 1995, at 1215 central standard time, a Cessna 172H, N2610L, was substantially damaged during takeoff, near Mountain View, Arkansas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, while his passenger was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, he completed a full stop landing at an abandoned grass airstrip and taxied back for takeoff from a point approximately 2,400 feet from the departure end of the strip. Takeoff roll was initiated to the northeast using a short field takeoff technique. The pilot stated that acceleration was poor due to the tall wet grass. The strip was 4,500 feet long At a point approximately 1,800 feet from the point of takeoff, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff after it became apparent to him that he was not going to become airborne and clear the trees at the departure end. The pilot stated that he utilized maximum braking to stop the airplane and attempted to intentionally ground loop the airplane. The airplane continued straight ahead, crossed a ditch, and impacted trees at the departure end of the airstrip. In the recommendation block of the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that "pilots must always be aware of wind speed and direction even at outlying fields where there is no wind sock or indicator." A local resident reported that a 15 to 20 knot tailwind prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the winds from 200 degrees at 10 knots, while the nearest weather reporting station reported the winds from 230 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2610L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2610L-2003-10-03), registration cancelled 2003-10-03, S/N 17255810, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255810 - Airframe hours: 3079 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bullard, Jimmy H. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1994, 70 hours before - Airport: None, runway 4, 4,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 185 total, 185 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19950131000959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950131000959A), Jan 31, 1995: Cessna 172H, Allison, AR, Substantial damage. Tried depart tall grass strip downwing. Unable accelerate. Aborted late. Ran off end into ditch and trees. ## Other investigations on N2610L (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA73DLG29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73DLG29), Dec 27, 1972: Cessna 172 (N2610L), No.Myrtle Bch, SC, substantial damage 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.