# NTSB GAA15CA243: Cessna 172, N8404X, New Enterprise, PA, August 30, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2015, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: New Enterprise, PA - Coordinates: 40.216388, -78.434722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2164&lon=-78.4347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Pittsburgh FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91896/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91896 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA243 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Stall warn/stick-shaker/pusher](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/430/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a "normal" landing, he performed a 180 degree turn at the end of the grass airstrip and started his takeoff roll. After accelerating to 65 miles per hour, he reported that the airplane became airborne at the crest of an incline, but about 20 feet above the ground the airplane began to "quickly lose airspeed." The stall warning horn sounded, the left wing dropped, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and collided with a fence at the end of the grass airstrip. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a "normal" landing, he performed a 180 degree turn at the end of the grass airstrip and started his takeoff roll. After accelerating to 65 miles per hour, he reported that the airplane became airborne at the crest of an incline, but about 20 feet above the ground the airplane began to "quickly lose airspeed." The stall warning horn sounded, the left wing dropped, and the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and collided with a fence at the end of the grass airstrip. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8404X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8404X), registered now, S/N 17248904 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248904 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 2284.9 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Housel LLC - Registered owner: Housel LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 2014 - Departed: 7G4, NEWRY, PA - Destination: None, New Enterprise, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 498 total, 104 in this make and model, 352 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KAOO, 12 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 20150830018959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150830018959A), Aug 30, 2015: Cessna 172C, New Enterprise, PA, Destroyed. 08-30-15 Accident report N8404X, s/n 17248904 Cessna - 172C The pilot involved was identified as ^Mr. James c. housel^. There was one passenger, ^Mr. Housels… ## Other investigations on N8404X (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 CHI86LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA217), Aug 30, 1986: Cessna 172C (N8404X), Bement, IL, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91896. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433282&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.