Cessna C-172F | N7905U

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot elected to takeoff on remaining runway, after aborting his first previous takeoff attempt due to a rough running engine. The pilot failed to abort this second takeoff attempt when presented with clear reasons for doing so. After lift began to occur, the aircraft was observed to pull to the left and entered an area of tall wet uncut grass, where the pilot tried to climb with an increasing nose up attitude. Small pieces of the horizontal stabilizer and white paint chips (consistent with the airplane’s paint) were found amidst the grass. The contact with the metal pieces was consistent with the airplane rotating for takeoff after it veered off the runway surface, as it passed through the tall, uncut grass in the boggy area. The boggy area was bordered by a 4 ft high barbed wire fence. A portion of the airplane’s right elevator was found embedded in the top wire of the fence. The main wreckage of the airplane was about 200 ft from the fence.

Probable Cause issued 9/8/2026 – 25 months after the accident: The pilot’s failure to attain adequate airspeed for takeoff, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after not maintaining directional control during the takeoff roll.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to the conditions which should result in performing a rejected takeoff. The use of the AQP 50/70 rule is highly recommended, and pilots should know the four conditions that could cause a takeoff to become degraded, and be prepared to perform the RTO immediately and without hesitation.