MT. PLEASANT, PA, USA
N7616T
CESSNA 172A
THE PILOT WAS MAKING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF FROM A 2000 FT LONG TURF RUNWAY WHICH SLOPES TO THE RIGHT. THE WINDS WERE ABOUT 10 DEGREES LEFT OF THE NOSE, AT 3 TO 5 KNOTS. AT LIFTOFF, THERE WAS WIND CHANGE TO APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 DEGREES FROM THE LEFT AT 16 KNOTS AND THE AIRPLANE WAS BLOWN TO THE RIGHT, OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND DOWN AND EMBANKMENT. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED NOSE FIRST INTO THE GROUND. A PILOT LANDING A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT SAID THE WINDS WERE VARYING 90 DEGREES IN DIRECTION AND GUSTING.
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, A PREMATURE LIFT-OFF, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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