This May 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: None. Location: Dixie, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was departing from an unimproved mountain airstrip. During the takeoff ground roll, he moved the airplane to the right to miss some rocks that were on the airstrip. In the initial climb, the outboard portion of the right wing hit 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. An FAA inspector reported structural damage to the right wing.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the vegetation during takeoff.
For more information: NTSB.gov
