# NTSB MKC88FA058: Cessna 172N, N5816E, Oxford, IA, February 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1988, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, IA
- Coordinates: 41.720127, -91.779083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7201&lon=-91.7791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA058

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO BE IN TROUBLE IMMEDIATLEY AFTER TAKEOFF, AS THE WINGS WERE RAPIDLY ROCKING WHILE IT WAS STRUGGLING TO STAY AIRBORNE. THE AIRCRAFT TURNED SHARPLY LEFT, WHERE IT THEN BARELY CLEARED A ROW OF TREES. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED, WITH ITS WINGS STILL ROCKING, WHEN IT SUDDENLY PITCHED UP AS IT APCHD SOME POWER LINES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED CLEARING THE POWER LINES, HANGING IN MID-AIR, THEN PLUMMETING NOSE FIRST TO THE GROUND. THERE WAS NO IN-FLIGHT NOR POST-CRASH FIRE. ON-SCENE DOCUMENTATION INDICATED THAT THE PILOT HAD USED 20 DEGREES OF FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. A COMPLETE ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION REVEALED NO PREEXISTING DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5816E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5816E-1988-12-01), registration cancelled 1988-12-01, S/N 17271943 (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: 17271943
- Airframe hours: 3209
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Don Nelson, doing business as Green Castle Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aeromedicus Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 22, 1987, 55 hours before
- Departed: IA24
- Destination: 55C, DODGEVILLE, WI
- Airport: IA24, Green Castle, runway 13, 2,600 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 83 total, 27 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 8 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 19880228005639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880228005639A), Feb 28, 1988: Cessna 172N, Oxford, IA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Premature takeoff mid field on uphill paved portion of runway. Wobbled clearing trees then stalled clearing wires.

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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