- Date
- September 8, 2000, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place
- Cross Keys, NJ
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N9594LCessna 172P
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 17, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 20000908043859A
- Case key
- 50214
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The operator's inadequate 100-hour inspection of the airplane, and the pilot's continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During takeoff, the pilot's seat slid rearward. He aborted the takeoff, locked his seat into a proper position, and taxied back for another takeoff attempt. He then performed two takeoff and landings uneventfully. During the third takeoff, his seat slid rearward again. The pilot grabbed the yoke and attempted to pull himself forward. The airplane climbed, stalled, and struck the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the holes in the seat tracks were worn and oblong. The airplane had flown about 37 hours since the last 100-hour inspection, when the seat tracks were required to be inspected.
Factual narrative
On September 8, 2000, about 1015 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172P, N9594L, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Cross Keys Airport (17N), Cross Keys, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that he was flying from the front right seat, practicing for his certified flight instructor practical test. He initially departed 17N, about 0915. During the takeoff roll, his seat slid rearward. The pilot aborted the takeoff, and locked the seat into position. He then taxied the airplane back and departed uneventfully. The pilot performed some maneuvers, and landed at Millville Municipal Airport (MIV), Millville, New Jersey.
He departed MIV uneventfully and landed at 17N, about 1010. He taxied the airplane back to the active runway, and initiated a takeoff roll. During the takeoff roll, his seat slid rearward again. The pilot "...attempted to reach the controls using the yoke. The plane lifted off, stalled, and descended-crashing."
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector stated that the airplane initially climbed 20-30 feet, then "cartwheeled" along the left wing. It struck two parked airplanes before coming to rest on the airport, and a post crash fire ensued. The inspector examined the holes in the right front seat tracks. He stated the holes were worn and oblong.
The airplane had approximately 37 hours of operation since the last 100-hour inspection, performed on August 17, 2000. FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 87-20-03 pertains to the make and model accident airplane. The AD requires the seat tracks and seat rollers to be inspected after every 100 hours of operation, in airplanes that are operated for hire.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9594L
- Reported as
- Cessna 172P
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17276587
- Airframe hours
- 10,514
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Lewis Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · August 17, 2000 · 37 hours before
- Departed
- 17N
- Airport
- 17N · Cross Keys Airport, runway 27, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 59
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 831 total · 639 in this make and model · 806 as pilot in command · 10 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PHL, 14 nm away
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2001, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 542 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.