Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was departing from a 1,800-foot-long by 60-foot-wide turf runway in crosswind conditions. During the takeoff rotation, a gust of wind "shifted" the airplane, and it "lost its lift." The airplane’s left main landing gear contacted plowed soil on the side of the runway, and the airplane "pitched over." Both the propeller and left wing struck the ground before the airplane settled back onto all three landing gear. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing. The closest weather reporting station, located 25 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, was reporting calm winds at the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA365 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 20, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lovingston, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Woodrigde Field (VG52)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172H
- N-number
- N1664F
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.