Cessna 172 N1596E

Summary

On 11 May 2023 at about 18:20 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N1596E was involved in an accident near South Bethlehem, New York, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, 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

11 May 2023 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

South Bethlehem, New York, United States

Nearest airport

South Albany Airport (4B0)

Coordinates

42.5607, -73.8339

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N1596E

Category

Airplane

Year built

1972

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

ERA23LA229

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s improper decision to attempt an intersection takeoff in a tailwind when the full runway in the opposite, headwind direction was available.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Due to his injuries, the pilot did not recall the accident. A pilot-rated witness reported seeing the airplane make an intersection takeoff from a 2,853-ft-long runway with a tailwind (9 kts, gusting to 13 or 14 kts). The intersection used resulted in only 2,293 ft of runway available. The accident airplane subsequently impacted a field near the departure end of the runway and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Review of weight and balance data for the airplane revealed that it was loaded to within 80 pounds of its maximum gross weight before accounting for baggage and fuel (the quantities of which could not be determined). Review of performance data revealed that at maximum gross weight, in the reported wind and temperature conditions, the airplane required about 2,300 ft of runway to take off to clear a 50-ft obstacle. There were no performance data for tailwind conditions greater than 10 knots or any weight above the maximum gross weight. Based on the takeoff performance data, the pilot was likely attempting to operate the airplane in excess of its performance capabilities, which resulted in a subsequent collision with terrain when it was unable to climb. Instead of departing with a tailwind, and from an intersection with a reduced amount of runway remaining, had the pilot instead elected to depart in the opposite direction utilizing the full runway length, it is possible that the accident could have been avoided.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.