Cessna 172
Dowagiac, MI — August 4, 2018
Event Information
| Date | August 4, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA471 |
| Event ID | 20180805X20931 |
| Location | Dowagiac, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.99306, -86.12833 |
| Airport | Dowagiac Muni |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
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 | 2 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 2 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a soft field runway, about 10 feet above the ground, the airplane drifted left. The left wing "dipped", contacted the ground and the airplane impacted terrain.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to right wing, right elevator and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot added that he should have "stayed longer in ground effect."
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 20 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 210° at 10 knots and about 40 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 190º at 7 knots. The airplane departed on runway 22.
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.