# NTSB NYC94LA104: Cessna 172P, N5482K, Greenville, ME, July 1, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1994, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Greenville, ME - Location: 45.4662° N, 69.5780° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenville, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4662&lon=-69.5780&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38773 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38773/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA104 ## Probable cause THE PREMATURE RETRACTION OF THE WING FLAPS BY THE PILOT AFTER TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF LIFT AND COLLISION WITH TREES. ## 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 - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT OF THE FLOAT-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF HE RAISED THE WING FLAPS. AT THIS TIME, THERE WAS A LOSS OF LIFT AND THE AIRPLANE 'MUSHED' INTO THE TREES. HE SAID THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIRPLANE WAS MARGINAL WHEN EQUIPPED WITH THE FLOATS. HE REPORTED THE WINDS AS 8 TO 10 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On Friday, July 1, 1994, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N5482K, a float-equipped airplane, registered to Folsom's Air Service, Inc., and piloted by Richard M. Cabot, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff from a pond near Greenville, Maine. The pilot received minor injuries and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that after the airplane became airborne, he raised the wing flaps from the 20 degrees setting to the UP position. At this time, a loss of lift occurred, and the airplane "mushed" into the trees. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the operation of the float-equipped Cessna 172 was marginal, because of limited airplane performance. He also said that in retrospect, he would have delayed raising the wing flaps until at a higher altitude and airspeed. The pilot reported that the winds were 8 to 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5482K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5482K-2000-08-24), registration cancelled 2000-08-24, S/N 17274148 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274148 - Airframe hours: 4300 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Flosom'S Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1994, 58 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,340 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,130 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 215° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19940701017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940701017479A), Jul 1, 1994: Cessna 172P, Horseshoe Pond, ME, Substantial damage. Raised flaps after water takeoff. Settled into trees. Float equipped 172 marginal performance. High temp factors. ## Other investigations on N5482K (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 NYC91LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA197), Jul 28, 1991: Cessna 172P (N5482K), Greenville, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR GUSTING WINDS BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. 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.