Cessna 172 N9785T

Summary

On 6 September 1999 at about 16:00 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N9785T was involved in an accident near Houston, Mississippi, United States. 2 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

6 September 1999 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

33.8893, -88.9997

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N9785T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL99LA123

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to switch the magneto switch to the both position before attempting a takeoff that resulted in the loss of engine power and resulted in the subsequent collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he completed the engine run-up procedure as he taxied to the runway for takeoff. He reported that all systems checked normal, but he believed he forgot to return the magneto switch to the both position before attempting the takeoff. He also said, he and his son had made several takeoffs from their private airstrip and they were usually airborne within the first half of the 1600-sod airstrip. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot. The post-accident examination of the airplane also failed to disclose a mechanical problem.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.