Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the vegetation during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was departing from an unimproved, mountain airstrip. During the takeoff ground roll, he moved the airplane to the right in order to miss some rocks that were on the airstrip. In the initial climb, the outboard portion of the right wing then collided with brush-like vegetation that had grown into the departure path. The pilot then flew the airplane to an airport where maintenance personnel examined the airplane. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported structural damage to the right wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for SEA08CA126 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 3, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dixie, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Wilson Bar (ID76)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172M
- N-number
- N20406
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.