- Date
- May 27, 1982, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place
- Labelle, FL
- Injuries
- 3 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N5143VCessna 172RG
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report May 27, 1983
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19820527021009A
- Case key
- 71300
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
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
The pilot and two passengers planned to depart on a flight to spot hogs for hunters. The aircraft was loaded with about 50 gallons of fuel and was near its maximum gross weight. Before takeoff, the pilot noted the wind. He reported that it was light and variable from the east-northeast with gusts from 10 to 15 knots. During a takeoff to the north, he noted a crosswind from the right. He stated that when the plane was near the end of the strip, it felt like it was ready to lift-off, when it suddenly settled back. Subsequently, it hit a small tree and a mound of sand or dirt. The tree was located to the left of the runway. A witness reported that there was a light wind from the east-southeast that suddenly shifted to the south and gusted from 12 to 15 mph. He reported that the wind shift occurred when the aircraft had only traveled 300 to 400 ft on its takeoff roll. The south end of the strip was partially surrounded by tall pine trees.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5143V
- Reported as
- Cessna 172RG
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 0464
- Airframe hours
- 927
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 91
- Operator
- Michael H. Richardson
- Registered owner
- Michael H. Richardson
- Departed
- Labelle, FL
- Destination
- Labelle, FL
- Airport
- English Field, runway 34, 2,600 × 0 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
- 31
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 690 total · 556 in this make and model · 598 as pilot in command · 130 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 172 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.