LABELLE, FL, USA
N5143V
CESSNA 172RG
THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS PLANNED TO DEPART ON A FLIGHT TO SPOT HOGS FOR HUNTERS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH ABOUT 50 GALLONS OF FUEL AND WAS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTED THE WIND. HE REPORTED THAT IT WAS LIGHT AND VARIABLE FROM THE EAST-NORTHEAST WITH GUSTS FROM 10 TO 15 KNOTS. DURING A TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH, HE NOTED A CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE PLANE WAS NEAR THE END OF THE STRIP, IT FELT LIKE IT WAS READY TO LIFT-OFF, WHEN IT SUDDENLY SETTLED BACK. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A SMALL TREE AND A MOUND OF SAND OR DIRT. THE TREE WAS LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A LIGHT WIND FROM THE EAST-SOUTHEAST THAT SUDDENLY SHIFTED TO THE SOUTH AND GUSTED FROM 12 TO 15 MPH. HE REPORTED THAT THE WIND SHIFT OCCURRED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT HAD ONLY TRAVELED 300 TO 400 FT ON ITS TAKEOFF ROLL. THE SOUTH END OF THE STRIP WAS PARTIALLY SURROUNDED BY TALL PINE TREES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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