- Date
- January 25, 2000, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place
- Lincolnton, GA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N2469ECessna 172N
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 29, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 20000125006909A
- Case key
- 48540
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remove ice from the wings prior to takeoff resulting in the aircraft not climbing after takeoff and colliding with a tree.
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.
Analysis
During preflight inspection the pilot removed snow from the aircraft and observed some ice formation on the wings. He did not remove the ice. During takeoff the aircraft would not climb and collided with a tree. The aircraft spun around 180 degrees and crashed to the ground. The pilot attributed the failure to climb on the ice buildup on the wings.
Factual narrative
On January 25, 2000, about 1300 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N2469E, registered to a private owner, collided with a tree during climb after takeoff from a private strip near Lincolnton, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that upon arrival at the aircraft prior to the flight, the aircraft was covered with snow. He brushed off the snow and observed some ice buildup on the aircraft. He thought the ice would blow off during takeoff. After takeoff, the aircraft would not climb, due to the ice buildup interrupting the airflow over the wing. The right wing collided with a tree, spun around 180 degrees and crashed upright in a field.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2469E
- Reported as
- Cessna 172N
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17271295
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A4M, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Bobby C. Parks
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Airport
- Gary Ward Airstrip, runway 14, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf
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
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 69
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,700 total · 450 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 43 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- AGS, 40 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.