# NTSB LAX03LA178: Cessna 172M, N9900V, Conroe, TX, June 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2003, 20:30 local (Jun 1, 2003, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Conroe, TX - Coordinates: 30.35, -95.416664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3500&lon=-95.4167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57120/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain/maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush. ## 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 - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9900V-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 17264551, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - 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: 17264551 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 33; injuries: minor; 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 - Student pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030531012519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030531012519A), May 31, 2003: Cessna 172M, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed on runway 14 and during the climb out the pilot stated he heard the stall warning horn sound and stated he attempted to lower the nose… 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.