FRUITLAND PARK, FL, USA
N5155E
Cessna 172N
The pilot stated that he initiated a takeoff to the west on a private grass airstrip with a wind from 350 degrees. Just after becoming airborne, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The pilot applied aileron input, but the airplane veered off the runway and collided with fence posts.
On October 19, 1996, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N5155E, registered to Airparks Aviation, Inc., experienced a loss of control on takeoff from a private airstrip named the Flying Palomino Ranch, Fruitland Park, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight to the Leesburg Municipal Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll on runway 27 with the wind from 350 degrees, a gust of wind occurred. He applied aileron input but the airplane veered off the runway and collided with fence posts. A weather observation taken at 1026 local, from the Leesburg Airport located about 7 nautical miles southeast of the airstrip indicated that the wind was from 290 degrees at 13 knots. The observation also indicated that the wind was variable from 270 degrees to 350 degrees.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during takeoff. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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