CESSNA 172
Batavia, OH — May 8, 2018
Event Information
| Date | May 8, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA276 |
| Event ID | 20180509X14948 |
| Location | Batavia, OH |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.08028, -84.20861 |
| Airport | CLERMONT COUNTY |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | CESSNA |
| Model | 172 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight due to his failure to perform preflight weight and balance calculations, which affected the airplane’s takeoff performance, and his subsequent decision to abort the takeoff with too little runway remaining, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, before the flight, he performed weight and balance and performance calculations with the initial fuel level in the airplane. The airplane fuel tanks were then filled full of fuel, but he did not amend the weight and balance or performance calculations.
The pilot reported that, during takeoff, after the airplane became airborne, he did not feel comfortable with the way the airplane was performing, so he reduced power and landed the airplane on the remaining runway. He added that, he did not have enough runway to stop and attempted to exit on a taxiway, but "understeered" and the airplane exited the runway into a ditch.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board 6120.1 Form that the airplane's maximum gross weight was 2,460 pounds and that the weight at the time of the accident was 2,600 pounds, about 140 pounds over the maximum gross weight.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.