LAX03LA178

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172M · Conroe, TX · June 1, 2003

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 31, 2003, 20:30 local (Jun 1, 2003, 01:30 UTC)
Place
Conroe, TX
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N9900VCessna 172M
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 29, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20030531012519A
Case key
57120

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain/maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Airspeed - not obtained/maintainedPilot in command(cfi)Cause
Weather condition - high density altitude
Stall/mush - encounteredPilot in command(cfi)
In flight collision with objectDescent - uncontrolled
Object - tree(s)Factor

Analysis

The airplane collided with trees during takeoff. Since the outside temperature was high (about 35 degrees Celsius 95 degrees Fahrenheit), and the density altitude was above 2,300 feet, the certified flight instructor (CFI) had concerns about the airplane's takeoff performance and decided to make the takeoff instead of letting the student do it. He heard the stall warning horn sound after rotation. He lowered the nose to try and gain airspeed in ground effect. However, the airplane stalled and banked left. He applied right aileron and full right rudder. The airplane continued to veer to the left of the runway. The CFI recognized the loss of control, and that the airplane was headed toward the trees. He pulled the power to idle and attempted to abort the takeoff. The airplane collided with trees while the airplane was still 40 feet above ground level (agl).

Factual narrative

On May 31, 2003, about 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9900V, collided with trees during takeoff from Montgomery County Field, Conroe, Texas. N9900V, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 191. The certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot and the student pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country instructional flight was en route to West Houston Airport, Houston, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 30 degrees 21 minutes north latitude and 95 degrees 25 minutes west longitude.

The CFI submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The CFI stated that they departed from the West Houston Airport about 1600. They made an intermediate stop for practice landings, and then flew to Montgomery Field. They refueled and completed flight planning for the return flight to West Houston.

The CFI stated that it was hot, about 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), and he had concerns about the airplane's takeoff performance. Therefore, he elected to execute the takeoff instead of letting the student do it. He heard the stall warning horn sound after rotation. He lowered the nose to try and gain airspeed in ground effect. However, the airplane stalled and banked left. He applied right aileron and full right rudder. The airplane continued to veer to the left of the runway. The CFI recognized the loss of control, and that the airplane was headed toward the trees. He pulled the power to idle and attempted to abort the takeoff. The airplane collided with trees while the airplane was still 40 feet above ground level (agl).

Aircraft

Registration
N9900V
Reported as
Cessna 172M
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17264551
Engine
Avco Lycoming O-320-D2J, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner
N9900v, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
CXO · Conroe, TX
Destination
IWS · Houston, TX
Airport
CXO · Montgomery County Airport, runway 14, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Flight instructor
Age
33
Injuries
Minor
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Last flight review
July 4, 2002
Seat
Right
Flight hours
510 total · 175 in this make and model · 325 as pilot in command · 18 in the last 90 days
Role
Student pilot
Age
55
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Student
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
25 total · 18 in the last 90 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
130° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
84 °F, dew point 72 °F
Altimeter
29.79 inHg
Observed at
CXO, 1 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.