# NTSB MIA90FA118: Cessna 172K, N7268G, Mayaguez, PR, May 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1990, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Mayaguez, PR
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA118

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILUE TO CONDUCT PROPER PREFLIGHT PREPARATIONS, RESULTING IN A TAKEOFF AT 175 POUNDS OVER MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT, WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED, AND ON THE IMPROPER RUNWAY FOR WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE BEING UNABLE TO CLIMB AFTER LIFTOFF AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH ELECTRICAL LINES 1,625 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,static(marked)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

PILOT MADE A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED AT A WEIGHT 175 POUNDS OVER MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEIGHT FOR THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB. AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES 1,625 FEET PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7268G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7268G-1990-12-29), registration cancelled 1990-12-29, S/N 17258968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258968
- Airframe hours: 4845
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Isla Grande Fly. School & Srv.
- Registered owner: Isla Grande Flying School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1990, 88 hours before
- Destination: SAN JUAN, PR
- Airport: MAZ, Eugenio Maria De Hostos, runway 27, 4,999 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 78 total, 13 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAZ, 1 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 19900510015389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900510015389A), May 10, 1990: Cessna 172K, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Took off downwind with full flaps extended and over gross weight. Struck marked wires and crashed.

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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