# NTSB LAX08CA234: Cessna 172M, N80849, Leavenworth, WA, July 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2008, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Leavenworth, WA - Coordinates: 47.819168, -120.719718 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8192&lon=-120.7197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68490 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68490/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA234 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude and short runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area length](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane gained speed slowly and halfway down the runway lifted off in ground effect. The pilot noted the airspeed was about 50 knots. When the pilot realized that the airplane was not going to clear obstacles at the end of the runway, she aborted the takeoff and decided to land the airplane on the remaining runway. The airplane overran the end of the runway, traveled downhill, struck a pile of wood, nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot had configured the airplane for a short field takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps. The pilot had been to the airport before and had taken summer mountain flying courses. She stated that she over estimated the capabilities of the airplane under the existing altitude, runway conditions, and height of the trees at the end of the runway. The airport elevation was 1,939 feet. The closest weather reporting station indicated that the temperature was 28 degrees Celsius, and the density altitude was calculated to be 3,186 feet. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, she performed a short field takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps. The airplane gained speed slowly, and halfway down the runway it lifted off in ground effect. The airplane continued to climb out between 50-55 knots. The pilot reported that the airplane was nearing the end of the runway and she knew that they were not going to gain enough altitude to climb over the trees at the end of the runway. She pulled the power and landed the airplane back on the runway "as quickly as possible." Immediately upon touchdown, she applied the brakes; however, the airplane overran the runway, went down a hill, and the landing gear collided with piles of firewood length logs and "logging slash," and nosed over coming to rest inverted. She further stated that the runway surface was a mixture of dirt, gravel, and some dry grass and weeds. The pilot reported in the recommendation on how the accident could have been prevented section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that she over estimated the capabilities of the airplane under the existing altitude, runway conditions, and height of trees at the end of the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Facility Directory reported that the Lake Wenatchee Airport, Leavenworth, Washington, runways are an east/west orientation (09/27). The runway length was 2,473 feet by a width of 100 feet, and constructed of turf. The airport elevation is 1,939 feet. It also indicated that prior to use the Washington State Aviation Division should be contacted for facility information. The Washington State Department of Transportation - Aviation division website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/AllStateAirports/Leavenworth_LakeWenatcheeState.htm reported that the airport had "some density altitude problem" that can be anticipated on hot summer days. It also noted that trees surround the airport, as well as trees in close proximity to both approach ends of the runway. The airport was identified as unattended. The pilot was not able to recall the full weather for the area. However, the closest airport identified was the Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee, Washington, located 33 nautical miles southeast of the accident airport. The recorded Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at 1155 indicated that the temperature was 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) with a dew point of 08 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit), and an altimeter of 29.88 inches of Mercury. The Safety Board investigator calculated the density altitude to be 3,186 feet. The pilot reported that she had used 10 degrees of flaps for takeoff. She reported the following weights for the flight: 340 pounds - 2 people 18 gallons of fuel 175 pounds of gear The rear seat had been removed to accommodate the gear, and she estimated the airplane's weight at the time of the accident to be 2,095 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80849](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80849-2011-02-24), registration cancelled 2011-02-24, S/N 17266772, built 1976 (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: 17266772 - Airframe hours: 9566 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joyce L. Rust - Registered owner: Joyce L. Rust - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008 - Departed: 27W, Leavenworth, WA - Destination: BVS, Burlington, WA - Airport: 27W, Lake Wenatchee State Airport, runway 27, 2,473 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 856 total, 766 in this make and model, 756 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: EAT, 33 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 20080720840529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080720840529A), Jul 20, 2008: Cessna 172, Leavenworth, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman initiated takeoff to the west in calm wind conditions. Airman stated the aircraft lifted off, entered ground effect, but would not climb further.… ## Other investigations on N80849 (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 SEA81FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA024), Mar 13, 1981: Cessna 172M (N80849), Roche Harbor, WA, 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.