# NTSB MIA98LA216: Cessna 172F, N7884U, Tuskegee, AL, August 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1998, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Tuskegee, AL - Coordinates: 32.390625, -85.680046 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3906&lon=-85.6800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report August 27, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43565 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43565/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA216 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed, and his failure to abort the takeoff. ## 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 - airspeed(vr) - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - ground - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill ## Analysis The airplane had taken off to the north, on a runway that slopes upward, with power lines as an obstruction at the departure end of the runway. The turf runway was 1800 feet long. As the airplane started to climb, the landing gear struck the power lines, the airplane fell to the ground, caught on fire and burned. The pilot stated that he usually takes off to the south, but a 'tailwind' caused him to takeoff to the north. He further stated he started his takeoff run and the airplane '...didn't gain speed like it should have. He said he 'should have stopped [the] takeoff, [but] waited too late. Rotated with too low a airspeed, could not clear power lines, cut wire and went into trees.' In addition, the pilot told the FAA that he did not have any engine problems. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1998, about 1845 central daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N7884U, registered to a private individual, crashed near Tuskegee, Alabama, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time. The airplane had taken off to the north, on a runway that slopes upward, with power lines as an obstruction at the departure end of the runway. As the airplane started to climb, the landing gear struck the power lines, the airplane fell to the ground, caught on fire and burned. The pilot stated that he usually takes off to the south, but a "tailwind" caused him to takeoff to the north. He further stated he started his takeoff run and the airplane "...didn't gain speed like it should have. [I] should have stopped [the] takeoff, waited too late. Rotated with too low a airspeed, could not clear power lines, cut wire and went into trees." In addition, the pilot told the FAA that he did not have any engine problems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7884U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7884U-2000-03-21), registration cancelled 2000-03-21, S/N 17251884 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17251884 - Airframe hours: 2158 - Engines: Continental O-300C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John T. Sistrunk - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1998, 1 hours before - Airport: runway 36, 1,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 755 total, 250 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 50° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AUO, 3 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 19980802019229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980802019229A), Aug 2, 1998: Cessna 172F, Tuskegee, AL, Destroyed. Acft crashed in a field and was destroyed by fire, no injuries were reported.(.19) on August 2, 1998, about 1845 central daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N7884U,… 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.