# NTSB NYC98LA130: Cessna 172R, N7437A, Milford, NY, June 20, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1998, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Milford, NY
- Coordinates: 42.589328, -74.939392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5893&lon=-74.9394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA130

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to intentionally fly below wires, which resulted in the collision with trees.  A factor in the accident was the soft grass airstrip.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,transmission
  - in-flight planning/decision - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot diverted to a private grass strip to wait for fog to clear at his intended destination.  During the subsequent takeoff roll, the pilot felt the airplane hit a soft spot, and he believed he was too close to the end of the runway to abort.  During the initial climb, the pilot felt he could not clear electrical wires, so he dove under them.  In the process, he struck a tree and crash landed in a field.  The pilot did not hear a stall warning horn during the takeoff and climb.

## Factual narrative

On June 20, 1998, about 0845 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172R, N7437A, received substantial damage during takeoff from a private strip near Milford, New York.  The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he intended to fly from Luther Airport (NY09), Chittenango, New York, to Cooperstown-Westville Airport (NY54), Cooperstown, New York.  He diverted to the private grass strip due to fog at Cooperstown.  The pilot stated that during the subsequent takeoff, the airplane encountered a soft spot in the runway too late to abort the takeoff.  He felt the airplane would not clear electrical wires at the departure end of the strip, so he decided to go under the wires.  In the process, the airplane hit an apple tree before landing in a soggy field.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated that he took off from the grass strip about 60 miles per hour, and that he did not hear the stall warning horn during the takeoff and climb.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7437A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29537
- Airframe hours: 2016
- Engines: Continental O-300B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leigh H. Havener
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1997, 100 hours before
- Departed: NY09, CHITTENANGO, NY
- Destination: NY54, COOPERSTOWN, NY
- Airport: NONE, Unnamed, runway 36, 1,300 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 802 total, 282 in this make and model, 755 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19980620014459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980620014459A), Jun 20, 1998: Cessna 172, Milford, NY, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot diverted to a private grass strip to wait for fog to clear at his intended destination. During the subsequent takeoff roll, the pilot felt the…

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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