# NTSB NYC90LA096: Cessna 172A, N7616T, Mt. Pleasant, PA, April 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1990, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Pleasant, PA
- Coordinates: 40.149841, -79.540679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1498&lon=-79.5407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA096

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF FROM A 2000 FT LONG TURF RUNWAY WHICH SLOPES TO THE RIGHT. THE WINDS WERE ABOUT 10 DEGREES LEFT OF THE NOSE, AT 3 TO 5 KNOTS. AT LIFTOFF, THERE WAS WIND CHANGE TO APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 DEGREES FROM THE LEFT AT 16 KNOTS AND THE AIRPLANE WAS BLOWN TO THE RIGHT, OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN AND EMBANKMENT. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED NOSE FIRST INTO THE GROUND. A PILOT LANDING A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT SAID THE WINDS WERE VARYING 90 DEGREES IN DIRECTION AND GUSTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7616T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7616T-1990-06-22), registration cancelled 1990-06-22, S/N 47216 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47216
- Airframe hours: 2796
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen G. Burish,Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1989, 115 hours before
- Airport: G07, Mt Pleasant/Scottsdale, runway 24, 2,000 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 177 total, 150 in this make and model, 114 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900428013069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900428013069A), Apr 28, 1990: Cessna 172A, Mount Pleasant, PA, Substantial damage. Made early liftoff in gusty crosswind. Blown off runway,struck both wings prior stopping.

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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