# NTSB IAD96LA118: Cessna 172, N78149, Frederick, MD, July 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 1996, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Frederick, MD - Coordinates: 39.419601, -77.409317 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4196&lon=-77.4093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28085 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD96LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28085/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96LA118 ## Probable cause the private pilot's inadvertently stalling the airplane immediately after takeoff. A related factor was the pilot's improper procedures during lift-off. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - lift-off - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he aborted the first takeoff attempt because of a '...severe shimmy... .' Inspection revealed no anomalies, so the pilot attempted a second takeoff. The pilot reported, 'When back pressure was applied on the second takeoff attempt, the shimmy was less noticeable. However, because of the back pressure, the plane became airborne at relatively low airspeed; back pressure was not appropriately released; and, after reaching an altitude of between 10 and 15 feet, the plane settled to the runway. The plane landed on its nose gear which collapsed, the propeller and right wing tip contacted the runway, and the plane stopped.' ## Factual narrative On July 14, 1996, at about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N78149, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the runway shortly after takeoff from runway 23 at Frederick Municipal Airport, in Frederick, Maryland. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The flight originated from Frederick Municipal Airport at 1159, with an intended destination of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The pilot reported that during a previous takeoff attempt from Frederick "...a severe shimmy was felt in the aircraft." He added that the takeoff was aborted and that the aircraft was inspected prior to the next takeoff with no anomalies noted. The pilot said, "In a telephone call to the plane's home base, it was learned that this particular plane had a chronic nose shimmy, and it was suggested that maintaining back pressure on takeoff would solve the problem. When back pressure was applied on the second takeoff attempt, the shimmy was less noticeable. However, because of the back pressure, the plane became airborne at relatively low airspeed; back pressure was not appropriately released; and, after reaching an altitude of between 10 and 15 feet, the plane settled to the runway. The plane landed on its nose gear which collapsed, the propeller and right wing tip contacted the runway, and the plane stopped." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78149](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78149-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 17257502, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257502 - Airframe hours: 7601 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Congressional Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1996, 95 hours before - Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD - Airport: FDK, Frederick Municipal Arpt, runway 23, 5,220 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 38 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KIA, 29 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 19960714017999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960714017999A), Jul 14, 1996: Cessna 172K, Frederick, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft made emergency landing after takeoff. ## Other investigations on N78149 (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 IAD74DIG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD74DIG21), Apr 3, 1974: Cessna 172K (N78149), Oakland, MD, 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.