# NTSB MIA96LA192: Cessna 172, N62224, Okeechobee, FL, July 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1996, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC) - Place: Okeechobee, FL - Coordinates: 27.500356, -80.930717 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5004&lon=-80.9307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38056/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA192 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during a high speed taxi check, which resulted in a lift-off and subsequent collision with the terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, other ## Analysis The pilot stated that he took the airplane for a taxi run, in order to check the airplane's performance at taxi speed. He further stated that during the taxi run, while halfway down the runway, the airplane became airborne and lurched to the left. He said he then reduced the throttle, cut the mixture control, and turned the fuel selector valve off. The airplane then hit the ground and slid to a stop with damage to the left wing, landing gear, propeller, engine mounts, and windshield. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1996, about 1525 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N62224, registered to Farrell Enterprises crashed shortly after takeoff from the Okeechobee Airport, Okeechobee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that he took the airplane for a taxi run, in order to check the airplane's performance at taxi speed. He further stated that during the taxi run, while half way down the runway, the airplane became airborne and "lurched" to the left. He then reduced the throttle, cut the mixture control, and turned the fuel selector valve off. The airplane then hit the ground and slid to a stop. Preliminary examination of the crash site revealed that the airplane slid 190 feet from the initial impact point. Further examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of contamination. Examination of the engine displayed continuity throughout and compression test on all cylinders checked normal. Witnesses stated that they noticed the airplane takeoff to the northeast, the airplane then climbed to 200 feet got just above trees then turned 180 degrees. They observed the airplane descending. They then drove around, saw the airplane on the ground and called the sheriff's office. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62224](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62224-1997-05-05), registration cancelled 1997-05-05, S/N R1720168 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1720168 - Engines: Continental IO-360-D6 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Farrell Interprises - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1994 - Airport: OBE, Okeechobee County, runway 4, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VRB, 30 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 19960719018969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960719018969A), Jul 19, 1996: Cessna 172, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot report became airborne on taxi test. Crash landed. Medical expired. Witness saw plane climb make 180. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.