# NTSB MIA84LA261: Cessna 172, N777TA, Miami, FL, September 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1984, 10:22 local (14:22 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.940481, -80.320632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9405&lon=-80.3206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA261

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

PLT STATED, THE ACFT WAS LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY IN GROUND EFFECT ON TAKEOFF. WHEN THE ACFT REACHED TREE TOP LEVEL A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE ACFT TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY WHERE THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED TREES. THE ACFT SPUN 180 DEG IN HEADING BEFORE CONTACTING THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777TA-1984-10-11), registration cancelled 1984-10-11, S/N 172-66953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266953
- Airframe hours: 6124
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tursair, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1984, 48 hours before
- Airport: X46, Opa Locka West, runway 9, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 247 total, 73 in this make and model, 147 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF, 8 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 19840924050759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840924050759A), Sep 24, 1984: Cessna 172K, Miami, FL, Destroyed. Made premature liftoff. Drifted into trees adjacent to the runway. Was observed to be in a near stall atitude.

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.

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