Cessna 172M N12809

Summary

On 1 September 2008 at about 21:26 local time, a Cessna 172M registered N12809 was involved in an accident near Three Lakes, Wisconsin, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 September 2008 at 21:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Three Lakes, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Three Lakes Municipal Airport (40D)

Coordinates

45.7903, -89.1208

Aircraft

Cessna 172M

Registration

N12809

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Three Lakes → Bolingbrook

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08CA287

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude to avoid the trees during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to ensure the security of the entrance door before takeoff and the unintentional opening of the door.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted trees after takeoff. The pilot reported that upon takeoff the airplane's door opened. He reported that he opened the window and attempted to close the door. He stated that he became distracted trying to close the door and the left wing of the airplane clipped trees. He stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.