# NTSB MIA89FA111: Cessna 172H, N1480F, Melbourne, FL, March 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1989, 17:31 local (22:31 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Coordinates: 28.080545, -80.600013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0805&lon=-80.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN INAPPROPRIATE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## 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
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF ON A RUNWAY WITH A 90 DEGREE 18 KNOT CROSSWIND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE. ANOTHER RUNWAY, LONGER & MORE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THE WIND, WAS AVAILABLE BUT NOT REQUESTED. WITNESSES SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED 75 TO 100 FT AGL, THEN ROLLED LEFT. ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF HEADING CHANGE WAS OBSERVED BEFORE THE AIRPLANE DOVE TO THE GROUND. WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OPERATING AT HIGH RPM. NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1480F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1480F-1991-08-05), registration cancelled 1991-08-05, S/N 17254975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254975
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald D. Schuhs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1988
- Departed: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Destination: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL
- Airport: MLB, Melbourne Regional, runway 4, 3,002 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 166 total, 20 in this make and model, 166 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB

## 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 19890321004299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890321004299A), Mar 21, 1989: Cessna 172H, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. Rolled into vertical bank after liftoff in a crosswind. Lost control and left wing hit ground. Too slow for control

## Other investigations on N1480F (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 MIA67F0343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0343), Dec 25, 1966: Cessna 172 (N1480F), Miami, FL, 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.

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