# NTSB GAA17CA278: Reims Cessna FR172, N42588, De Pere, WI, May 13, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2017, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: De Pere, WI - Coordinates: 44.368331, -88.158607 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3683&lon=-88.1586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95169/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95169 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Reims CESSNA FR172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7530203), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a grass airstrip, she applied full power and pulled back on the yoke for a soft- and short-field takeoff. She added that, after the nose came off the ground, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the left. The airplane "straddled a drainage ditch until the nose wheel caught on something," and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing lift strut, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 7 miles north of the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 11 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 18. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a grass airstrip, she applied full power and pulled back on the yoke for a soft-field and short-field takeoff. She added that after the nose came off the ground a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. The airplane "straddled a drainage ditch until the nose wheel caught on something" and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, right wing lift strut, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 7 miles to the north about the time of the accident reported that the wind was 320° at 11 knots. The airplane was departing runway 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42588](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42588-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 0142, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: REIMS CESSNA FR172 (F) - Registry model: [Reims CESSNA FR172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/reims-cessna-fr172f) (registry code 7530203) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0142 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 3561.4 - Engines: Continental IO-360-DB 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 2017 - Departed: 9WS2, De Pere, WI - Destination: RYV, WATERTOWN, WI - Airport: 9WS2, Antique Aerodrome, runway 18, 2,200 × 65 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 120.1 total, 120.1 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 8.8 in the last 90 days, 3.4 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KGRB, 7 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 20170513004599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170513004599A), May 13, 2017: Reims CESSNA FR172F, Depere, WI, Substantial damage. Aircraft left softfield runway 5 on take-off and lost directional control striking a ditch and flipping over. Aircraft suffered broken spars on both wings. No… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95169. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453059&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.