Cessna 172 N5743A accident near Shreveport, Louisiana

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control during initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings at a controlled airport. During the accident takeoff, the airplane was observed in a nose-high attitude. The pilot made an abbreviated radio call indicating that he was returning to the airport. The airplane rolled to the left, nosed over, impacted the ground with its left wing, cartwheeled on its nose, and came to rest upright. An on-scene examination revealed no preimpact flight control anomalies, and the pilot's seat was found pinned in a seat rail's hole, indicating that the loss of control was not the result of inadvertent slippage of the seat. The engine was test run and no anomalies were noted.

The airplane was equipped with lap belts, and it did not have (nor was it required to have) shoulder harnesses. The pilot sustained injuries that were consistent with unrestrained upper body impact with the control yoke. No medical issues were identified with the pilot that would have contributed to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15FA278 for the full record.