Aviation Investigation Final Report

Location: South Bethlehem, New York Accident Number: ERA23LA229

Date & Time: May 11, 2023, 14:20 Local Registration: N1596E

Aircraft: Cessna 172 Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) Injuries: 2 Serious, 1 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

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.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

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

Findings
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Aircraft Takeoff distance - Capability exceeded
Environmental issues Tailwind - Decision related to condition

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Factual Information

History of Flight
Takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)

On May 11, 2023, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N1596E, was substantially
damaged when it was involved in an accident near South Bethlehem, New York. The private
pilot and one passenger suffered serious injuries, while a second passenger incurred minor
injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal
flight.

The pilot reported that his injuries included a vertebrae fracture and concussion, and he could
not recall the accident sequence. A pilot-rated witness reported that the airplane was
attempting to take off from runway 19 at South Albany Airport (4B0), South Bethlehem, New
York. Runway 19 was 2,853 ft-long, 60 ft-wide, and consisted of asphalt. About 15 minutes
before the accident takeoff, another Cessna 172 performed a tailwind takeoff on runway 19
uneventfully; however, that airplane started its takeoff roll at the beginning of the runway.

The accident airplane took off beginning at a runway intersection, with about 2,293 ft of
runway remaining, in an approximate 9-kt tailwind, gusting to 13 or 14 kts. The accident
airplane subsequently impacted a field near the departure end of runway 19 and came to rest
upright.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed

substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The inspector observed the flaps in the
retracted position and did not note evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions.

Following the wreckage recovery to a storage facility, recovery company personnel were able
to rotate the propeller by hand, confirm powertrain continuity to the rear accessory section,
and attain thumb compression on all cylinders.

Review of weight and balance data for the airplane revealed that it had a useful load of 820 lbs.
The reported occupant weights totaled about 740 lbs., leaving 80 lbs for fuel and baggage. The
amount of fuel onboard and weight of the baggage was unknown.

Review of performance data from a make and model pilot operating handbook revealed that, at
maximum gross weight and in the reported wind and temperature conditions, the airplane
required about 2,300 ft of runway to take off and clear a 50-ft obstacle. There were no
performance data for any tailwind greater than 10 knots or any weight above the maximum
gross weight.

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 Pilot Information
Certificate: Private Age: 28,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Last FAA Medical Exam: August 3, 2022
waivers/limitations
Occupational Pilot: No Last Flight Review or Equivalent: February 11, 2023
Flight Time: (Estimated) 169 hours (Total, all aircraft), 100 hours (Total, this make and model), 67 hours
(Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 40 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 30 days, all
aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna Registration: N1596E
Model/Series: 172 N Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1972 Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal Serial Number: 17271060
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last July 1, 2022 Annual Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Inspection:
Time Since Last Inspection: Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 12309 Hrs as of last Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
inspection
ELT: Installed Engine Model/Series: O-360-A4M
Registered Owner: On file Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

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 Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC) Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: ALB,280 ft msl Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:51 Local Direction from Accident Site: 8°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 11000 ft AGL Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots / 16 knots Turbulence Type None / None
Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 270° Turbulence Severity N/A / N/A
Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 30.03 inches Hg Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: South Bethlehem, NY Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: South Bethlehem, NY Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information
Airport: South Albany Airport 4B0 Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 195 ft msl Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19 IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2853 ft / 60 ft VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger 1 Serious, 1 Minor Aircraft Fire: None
Injuries:
Ground Injuries: Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious, 1 Minor Latitude, 42.560722,-73.833944
Longitude:

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 Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Gretz, Robert
Additional Participating Sean Mullis; FAA/FSDO; Albany, NY
Persons: Henry Soderlund; Textron Aviation; Wichita, KS
Original Publish Date: June 5, 2024
Last Revision Date:
Investigation Class: Class 3
Note: The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Investigation Docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=149068

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with
investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation—
railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents
and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we
conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and
survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions
involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and
we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.

The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation,
“accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are
not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve
transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition,
statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a
civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A
factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.

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