Cessna 172M N118JD accident near Louisville, Kentucky

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to set the correct flap position before takeoff and his inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the operation of the airplane over the maximum allowable gross weight, both of which led to an aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude at which to recover.

NTSB analysis

The pilot could not recall any information about the accident except that the airplane had ascended to about 200 ft above ground level. According to Federal Aviation Administration radar data, the airplane had performed three takeoffs and landings, and the accident occurred during the initial climb after the fourth takeoff. The airplane impacted the ground in a right-wing, nose-down attitude about 430 ft from the departure end of the runway. No mechanical abnormalities were noted with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the flaps were set at 30 degrees. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, the flaps should be up for normal and obstacle-clearance takeoffs, and flap settings greater than 10 degrees are not recommended at any time for takeoff. Further, calculations of the airplane's weight and balance revealed that the airplane was over the maximum allowable takeoff weight by 114 pounds before the airplane's initial departure. The exact weight at the time of the accident could not be determined; however, it is likely that the airplane was still operating above the maximum allowable weight. Although the airplane had taken off and landed three times while overweight without incident, it is likely that the improper flap setting increased the drag and, in combination with the airplane's overweight condition, degraded the airplane's climb performance, which resulted in the airplane experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA279 for the full record.