# NTSB NYC00LA099: Cessna 172, N7879T, Sissonville, WV, March 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2000, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Sissonville, WV - Coordinates: 38.540367, -81.629699 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5404&lon=-81.6297&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 November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51269/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA099 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff. A factor in the accident was wind gusts. ## 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 - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot was executing a takeoff from a 1,100-foot dirt strip for closed traffic when the airplane encountered a gust of wind shortly after becoming airborne. The pilot applied full aileron and rudder, but could not arrest the drift to the left. The airplane struck trees, then slid down a bank, coming to rest approximately 80 feet from the left edge of the runway. The pilot made no mention of any flight control or engine malfunctions. The weather was clear, with an occasional gust of wind when the pilot executed the takeoff. After the accident, the fuel selector was found in the on position, fuel was present, and flight control continuity was verified. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2000, at 1500 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 172, N7879T, was substantially damage when it impacted trees during takeoff from a private airfield in Sissonville, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed, for the personal local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he had completed a cross-country flight, and was executing a takeoff from Runway 22, a 1,100-foot dirt strip, for closed traffic when the accident happened. During takeoff, the airplane encountered a gust of wind shortly after becoming airborne. The pilot applied full aileron and rudder, but could not arrest drift. The airplane struck trees to the left of the runway, then slid down a bank, coming to rest approximately 80 feet from the edge of the runway. In addition, the pilot made no mention of any flight control or engine malfunctions. He did state that the weather was clear, with an occasional gust of wind. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the fuel selector was in the on position, fuel was present, and flight control continuity was verified. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7879T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7879T-2003-05-29), registration cancelled 2003-05-29, S/N 47479, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47479 - Airframe hours: 2940 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William Tabbert - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1999, 42 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 22, 1,100 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 100 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CRW, 11 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 20000326019879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000326019879A), Mar 26, 2000: Cessna 172A, Sissonville, WV, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was executing a takeoff from a 1,100-foot dirt strip for closed traffic when the airplane encountered a gust of wind shortly after becoming… ## Other investigations on N7879T (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 UNK65X1306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1306), Jan 18, 1965: Cessna 172 (N7879T), Manchester, KY, substantial damage 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.