# NTSB MIA91LA213: Cessna 172N, N737VK, Lake City, FL, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 13:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.189397, -82.640441 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1894&lon=-82.6404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA213

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A DEMONSTRATED DOWNWIND SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF.  THIS RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL, STALL, AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## 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
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ATP WAS DEMONSTRATING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF DOWNWIND WITH A STUDENT PILOT PASSENGER.  THE ATP PILOT PULLED THE CONTROL YOKE AFT AT THE END OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO).  THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND EXPERIENCED AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.  VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED.  NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE ATP PILOT AND INFANT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.  THE STUDENT PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737VK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737VK-1991-10-21), registration cancelled 1991-10-21, S/N 17269707 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269707
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Suwannee Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Suwannee Aviation, Inc.
- Airport: Brothers Welcome, runway 27, 2,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 22 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 19910831037559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037559A), Aug 31, 1991: Cessna 172N, Lake City, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was demostrating soft field takeoff downwind and on last 800 feet of runway. Rotated nose high,stalled. Crash

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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