# NTSB LAX94LA269: Cessna 172N, N733AA, Schurz, NV, June 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1994, 14:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Schurz, NV - Coordinates: 38.920059, -118.709571 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9201&lon=-118.7096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28786 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28786/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA269 ## Probable cause the pilot's inability to maintain an adequate airspeed in the takeoff initial climb due to an encounter with a windshear. ## 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 - weather condition - windshear (cause) - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - utility pole - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis The passenger seated in the right front seat holds an airline transport pilot certificate and is an airline pilot. The witness reported that he did not observe a windsock on the airstrip and they had to gauge the wind conditions before takeoff by looking at the trees around the airport. He estimated that the winds were from 310 degrees at 10 knots with higher gusts to over 20 knots. Both he and the pilot stated in separate interviews that the takeoff was normal until the aircraft achieved about 100 feet agl. At that point, the aircraft encountered a 'very turbulent boundary layer' and the airspeed indicator 'instantaneously went from 80 to 30 knots and the stall horn came on continuously.' Both of the pilots stated that they could not recover the airspeed and the aircraft descended to impact with a telephone pole and wire at the north airport boundary. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1994, at 1425 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733AA, collided with telephone wires and poles on takeoff from the Schurz, Nevada, airport. The aircraft was operated by Nevada Cal Aero of Reno, Nevada, and was rented by the pilot for a cross-country personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated private pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries; however, one passenger incurred serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a return flight to Reno, Nevada. According to Sheriff's Department officers who responded to the accident site, the pilot stated in an interview that during the takeoff initial climb the aircraft encountered a windshear condition and descended into telephone wires and poles at the departure end of the runway. The responding sheriff's deputies stated that the outside air temperature was about 95 degrees and that the winds were variable and gusty. The passenger seated in the right front seat holds an airline transport pilot certificate and is an airline pilot. The witness reported that he did not observe a windsock on the airstrip and they had to gauge the wind conditions before takeoff by looking at the trees around the airport. He estimated that the winds were from 310 degrees at 10 knots with higher gusts to over 20 knots. Both he and the pilot stated in separate interviews that the takeoff was normal until the aircraft achieved about 100 feet agl. At that point, the aircraft encountered a "very turbulent boundary layer" and the airspeed indicator "instantaneously went from 80 to 30 knots and the stall horn came on continuously." Both of the pilots stated that they could not recover the airspeed and the aircraft descended to impact with a telephone pole and wire at the north airport boundary. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N733AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733AA-1997-03-06), registration cancelled 1997-03-06, S/N 17268135 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268135 - Airframe hours: 5580 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nevada Cal Aero - Registered owner: Lisa A. Schilling - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1994 - Departed: 3Q1 - Destination: RNO, RENO, NV - Airport: 3Q1, Schurz, runway 34, 3,200 × 45 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 227 total, 131 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Temperature: 95 °F ## 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 19940630019449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940630019449A), Jun 30, 1994: Cessna 172N, Shurz, NV, Destroyed. Hot day and turbulence on departure encountered uncontrollable down draft on climbout. Struck wires and poles. 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.