Cessna 172 accident near Davis, WV
On August 12, 2000, a Cessna 172 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Davis, WV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 12, 2000
- Place
- Davis, WV
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.129°N, 79.461°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X21823
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 12, 2000, about 1230 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172, N8874B, was substantially damaged while departing the Windwood Fly-In Resort Airport (WV62), Davis, West Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were seriously injured, and a third passenger was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local sightseeing flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that before boarding the airplane, he and the owner observed the windsock. The windsock indicated a direct crosswind from the northwest, "330 and 10-12 kts." According to the pilot, the owner suggested a takeoff from Runway 24, "since the obstacles were less significant at that end and the area was more open in case anything happened." As the pilot taxied to Runway 24, the wind continued out of the northwest, "the windsock shifting back and forth from approximately 320 - 340..." The pilot completed his checklist items, and extended the flaps 10 degrees. He taxied onto Runway 24, applied full power and brakes, then released the brakes and performed a short-field takeoff. As the airplane lifted off, the pilot checked the windsock again, and then realized that the winds were from the northeast, favoring Runway 6. However, the takeoff was continued. About 50 feet above the ground, the airplane was no longer climbing, and began to "settle". The pilot turned to the left to avoid a house, and the airplane "stalled" to the left. The pilot added: "The only thing I can think of that could produce [the settling] is th
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a takeoff with a tailwind, and a subsequent inadvertent stall. Factors were a high gross weight, a high density altitude, and a tailwind.
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Browse: West Virginia · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
