# NTSB GAA16CA150: Cessna 172, N2567U, La Junta, CO, January 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 30, 2016, 18:15 local (Jan 31, 2016, 01:15 UTC) - Place: La Junta, CO - Coordinates: 38.048053, -103.512779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0481&lon=-103.5128&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 May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92852 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92852/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92852 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off with a tailwind, and exceed the critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072410), [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 172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072410), [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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172D, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a night takeoff, shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway, he "felt a force" on the tail. He further reported that the angle of attack changed to an "extreme angle", the airspeed decreased, and the stall warning horn was audible. Subsequently the left wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, at the time of the accident, conditions were wind 30 degrees at 19 knots, wind gust 27 knots. The airplane was departing on runway 26. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a night takeoff, shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway, he "felt a force" on the tail. He further reported that the angle of attack changed to an "extreme angle", the airspeed decreased, and the stall warning horn was audible. Subsequently the left wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, at the time of the accident, conditions were wind 30 degrees at 19 knots, wind gust 27 knots. The airplane was departing on runway 26. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2567U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2567U), registered now, S/N 17250167, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17250167 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3872.1 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kevin Huckabee - Registered owner: Philip D. Howard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 2015 - Departed: LHX, La Junta, CO - Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Airport: LHX, La Junta Muni, runway 26, 6,849 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 22, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 67 total, 67 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 30° at 19 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.53 inHg - Observed at: KLHX ## 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 20160130004289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160130004289A), Jan 30, 2016: Cessna 172D, La Junta, CO, Substantial damage. On January 30, 2016 at approximately 1815 MST, N2567U, a Cessna model 172D aircraft was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from La Junta… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 29, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92852. 2.9 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=40439494&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot’s Report to Insurance Company (Report Courtesy of the Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 726 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%E2%80%99s%20Report%20to%20Insurance%20Company%20(Report%20Courtesy%20of%20the%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 285 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.