# NTSB NYC96LA129: Cessna 172C, N1665Y, Block Island, RI, June 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 1996, 19:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Block Island, RI - Location: 41.1681° N, 71.5778° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BLOCK ISLAND STATE (BID), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1681&lon=-71.5778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39198/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA129 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight, by failing to remove the control lock and checking the flight controls before takeoff, and his failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner, which resulted in an overrun, an encounter with brush, and a subsequent nose over of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flt control syst,elevator control - movement restricted (cause) - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot conducted a preflight inspection, then began his planned departure. During the takeoff roll, the control wheel would not move aft, and the airplane continue off the departure end of the runway. During the runway overrun, the pilot attempted to select a path of minimum obstruction ahead. Subsequently, the airplane encountered brush and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane, revealed the control lock was installed. When questioned about the installed control lock, the pilot stated, 'that would explain it.' ## Factual narrative On June 23, 1996, about 1935 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172C, N1665Y, was substantially damaged when it overran the runway and nosed over during takeoff at the Block Island State Airport, Block Island, Rhode Island. The private pilot and passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight destined for the Hartford-Brainard Airport, Hartford, Connecticut. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he stated: "As a background, my wife. . .and I departed Hartford-Brainard Airport about [1330]. . .for Block Island. The aircraft was owned by The Civil Air Patrol Flying Association Inc. of which I am a member. The flight to Block Island was uneventful. . . .Sometime shortly after [1900], we returned to the airplane, completed the prefight, and taxied to the end of runway 28 for the runup. During the take-off roll, I only recall that: 1) at normal rotation speed, I noticed that the control wheel would not travel aft and I did not understand why it would not travel further; 2) as I approached the end of runway, I realized we would not clear and I attempted to select a path of minimum obstruction ahead of the aircraft. . . ." Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed no evidence of malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. Also, the control lock was observed to be installed. Following the wreckage examination, a telephone interview was conducted with the pilot. During the interview, the pilot was asked if he was aware that the control lock was found installed at the accident site. He stated that he had been aware of the finding and stated, "that would explain it." According to the Cessna 172 Pilot Operating Handbook, for preflight inspection, it stated to remove the control lock. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1665Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1665Y-1998-11-19), registration cancelled 1998-11-19, S/N 17249365 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172C - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17249365 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Mackinnon - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Flying Assoc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BID - Destination: HFD, HARTFORD, CT - Airport: BID, Block Island State, runway 28, 2,501 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 667 total, 511 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BID ## 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 19960623014859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960623014859A), Jun 23, 1996: Cessna 172C, Block Island, RI, Substantial damage. On departure appeared to have no lift, crashed into trees and came to rest inverted. (-23) no narrative 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.