# NTSB NYC91FA188: Cessna 172M, N85HC, Phillips, ME, July 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1991, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Phillips, ME
- Location: 44.8231° N, 70.3395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Phillips, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8231&lon=-70.3395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA188

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WING FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE, AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF UPHILL.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - downhill

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A TAKEOFF WITH THE FLAPS SET AT 30 DEGREES, ON AN UPHILL RUNWAY INTO THE WIND.  THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED AT OR NEAR ITS GROSS WEIGHT.  THERE WAS RISING TERRAIN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WHICH EXCEEDED THE ABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE TO CLIMB.  THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND STRUCK THE GROUND.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE WING FLAPS WERE AT 35 DEGREES AND THE PILOT WHEN INTERVIEWED SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.  HE SAID HE USED THE 30 DEGREE FLAP SETTING TO GET AIRBORNE FASTER.  IN THE CESSNA 172M OWNER'S MANUAL, FLAP SETTINGS GREATER THAN 10 DEGREES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85HC-1991-09-11), registration cancelled 1991-09-11, S/N 17264426 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264426
- Airframe hours: 3783
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leo A Pratt
- Registered owner: Leo A Pratt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1990, 45 hours before
- Destination: 3B5, TURNER, ME
- Airport: NONE, Raymond, runway 35, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 331 total, 269 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19910724029799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910724029799A), Jul 24, 1991: Cessna 172M, Phillips, ME, Destroyed. Early lift off with 30 degrees flaps. Stayed behind power curve,stalled avoiding rising terrain. At gross weight.

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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