# NTSB GAA18CA471: Cessna 172, N8994V, Dowagiac, MI, August 4, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2018, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Dowagiac, MI - Coordinates: 41.993057, -86.128334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9931&lon=-86.1283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98003 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA471 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98003/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98003 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA471 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft-field runway, about 10 ft above the ground, the airplane drifted left. He added that the left wing "dipped" and contacted the ground and that the airplane then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right elevator, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have "stayed longer in ground effect." The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and that, about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed from runway 22. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft field runway, about 10 feet above the ground, the airplane drifted left. The left wing "dipped", contacted the ground and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, right elevator and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that he should have "stayed longer in ground effect." The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed on runway 22. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8994V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8994V-2018-10-29), registration cancelled 2018-10-29, S/N 17264349, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264349 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 11139 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wings Inc - Registered owner: Wings Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2018 - Departed: C91, Dowagiac, MI - Destination: SBN, South Bend, IN - Airport: C91, Dowagiac Muni, runway 22, 2,176 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 72 total, 70 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KSBN, 19 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 20180804006739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180804006739A), Aug 4, 2018: Cessna 172M, Dowagiac, MI, Substantial damage. On August 4, 2018 at 7:11 pm eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M aircraft, N8994V, registered to an association and operated by a private pilot, received… ## Other investigations on N8994V (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 CHI98LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA149), May 7, 1998: Cessna 172M (N8994V), Elkhart, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's disorientation that led him to believe he was on the active runway. A factor was the pilot's inattentiveness. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98003. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 840 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 292 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473251&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.