Cessna 172M N172JF

Summary

On 5 October 1996 at about 14:30 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N172JF, operated by W.l. Frank, was involved in an accident near Tuttle, Oklahoma, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 October 1996 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Tuttle, Oklahoma, United States

Nearest airport

Thompson Field (53OK)

Coordinates

35.2902, -97.7495

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N172JF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

W.l. Frank

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Bethany

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA008

Nobody was injured.

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: tall grass along the edges of the runway, and the proximity of the fence, fence posts, and trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While approaching to landing at a private airstrip, the airplane's spinner impacted a transmission line; however, the pilot managed to land without further incident. After landing and clearing the 2,300 foot sod airstrip, the pilot checked the airplane for damage. He found only incidental damage to the propeller spinner. After inspecting the engine and completing a full engine runup, the pilot elected to depart the airstrip to the south. The pilot stated that as the airplane approached rotation speed during an up slope takeoff roll, it started to veer to the left, and he was unable to maintain directional control with opposite rudder. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the left side of the strip and impacted fence posts and trees. Witnesses stated that the grass along the edges of the runway was 'long enough to drag a wheel down.' Post-recovery examination of the airframe confirmed flight control continuity to the rudder, elevators and ailerons. Additionally, no anomalies were found with the nose wheel steering mechanism or brake system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.