Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI98LA188

NORFOLK, NE, USA

Aircraft #1

N6847E

Cessna 175A

Analysis

After takeoff the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted the terrain. The pilot said that he believes that the airplane encountered a wind shift. The airplane departed on runway 31. The reported winds six minutes prior to the accident were 270 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 27 knots.

Factual Information

On June 1, 1998, at 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 175A, N6847E, operated by a private pilot descended into the terrain after liftoff from runway 31 (5,160' x 100' dry/asphalt) at Karl Stefan Memorial Airport, near Norfolk, Nebraska. The airplane was destroyed on impact with the terrain and a post accident fire. The pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries. The pilot stated that the airplane may have encountered windshear and was unable to climb. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot said that the airplane lifted off at about 65 knots. He said that when the airplane reached an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet, the airplane began to descend and he was unable to get the airplane to maintain flight. He said, "I believe the sole cause of the accident to be a change in wind direction and/or velocity, complicated by large groves of trees to the west of the runway ... ." He said that there was no mechanical failure or loss of power in the airplane. He said that just prior to impact he extended the flaps to full. The departure was on runway 31. The winds recorded at the departure airport six minutes prior to the accident were 270 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 27 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's misjudged wind conditions and his not obtaining/maintaining compensation for wind conditions. A factor was a sudden wind shift.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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