Cessna 172 N1118F

Summary

On 28 February 2018 at about 19:00 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N1118F, operated by Ecological Services International, was involved in an accident near Gatesvile, Texas, 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

28 February 2018 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gatesvile, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Private Airstrip (PVT)

Coordinates

31.2158, -97.3656

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N1118F

Category

Airplane

Year built

1966

Engines

1

Operator

Ecological Services International

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gatesvile → Port Isable

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA146

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during initial climb in a gusty condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he performed a soft field takeoff from the left side of the turf runway where it was firmer. The airplane climbed to 20 ft above ground level where it encountered wind gusts from the right. The airplane drifted to the left, collided with the wind sock pole, and then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The nearest METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 17 kts and gusting to 22 kts. The pilot reported in the recommendation section of the National Transportation Board pilot aircraft accident report, that the accident could have been prevented if he had initiated the takeoff from the center of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.