Cessna 172RG N9678B

Summary

On 29 April 1996 at about 20:36 local time, a Cessna 172RG registered N9678B, operated by Michael B. Ruggera, was involved in an accident near Duanesburg, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 April 1996 at 20:36

Classification

Accident

Location

Duanesburg, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Duanesburg (4B1)

Coordinates

42.7593, -74.1306

Aircraft

Cessna 172RG

Registration

N9678B

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Michael B. Ruggera

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Robbinsvile

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC96FA094

2 people died.

failure of the pilot to attain adequate airspeed (or abort the takeoff while there was sufficient runway remaining), which resulted in a stall after liftoff and collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's distraction due to events related to incapacitation of an animal aboard the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and passenger boarded the airplane for a return flight to their home base. A dog, the passenger's pet, was strapped into a special harness in the rear seat. The passenger occupied the front right seat. Witnesses reported that the takeoff roll appeared to be longer than usual, and after liftoff, the airplane did not climb. The airplane then rolled right, and descended into trees about 3/4 of a mile from the departure end of the runway. The impact site was soft dirt due to recent rains. Rotational damage was sustained on the front surface of the propeller blades. Examination of the engine did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. Investigation revealed that the dog's death was due to suffocation from ingestion of a plastic bag that contained bits of meat. The pilot and passenger respectively weighed about 200 and 300 pounds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.