# NTSB MIA97LA007: Cessna 172N, N5155E, Fruitland Park, FL, October 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 1996, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Fruitland Park, FL - Coordinates: 28.850122, -81.899826 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8501&lon=-81.8998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA007 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during takeoff. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - pole - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he initiated a takeoff to the west on a private grass airstrip with a wind from 350 degrees. Just after becoming airborne, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The pilot applied aileron input, but the airplane veered off the runway and collided with fence posts. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 1996, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N5155E, registered to Airparks Aviation, Inc., experienced a loss of control on takeoff from a private airstrip named the Flying Palomino Ranch, Fruitland Park, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight to the Leesburg Municipal Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll on runway 27 with the wind from 350 degrees, a gust of wind occurred. He applied aileron input but the airplane veered off the runway and collided with fence posts. A weather observation taken at 1026 local, from the Leesburg Airport located about 7 nautical miles southeast of the airstrip indicated that the wind was from 290 degrees at 13 knots. The observation also indicated that the wind was variable from 270 degrees to 350 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5155E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5155E-2013-11-13), registration cancelled 2013-11-13, S/N 17271741, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17271741 - Airframe hours: 3194 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Air Orlando - Registered owner: Airparks Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 7, 1996, 21 hours before - Departed: 5X1 - Destination: LEE, LEESBURG, FL - Airport: 5X1, Flying Palomino Ranch, runway 27, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 17; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 20 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 7 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 19961019033139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961019033139A), Oct 19, 1996: Cessna 172N, Fruitland Park, FL, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on takoff in a crosswind. Struck a fence. Lacked skill in type. Wind acceptable for this type. ## Other investigations on N5155E (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 FTW03FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA053), Nov 29, 2002: Cessna 172N (N5155E), Lindsay, OK, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of the right wing due to the missing nut that secures the right wing's strut to fuselage fitting to the fuselage. 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.