The pilot reported that, before the flight, he performed weight and balance and performance calculations with the initial fuel level in the Cessna 172.
The fuel tanks were then filled full of fuel, but he did not amend the weight and balance or performance calculations.
The pilot reported that, during takeoff, after the airplane became airborne, he did not feel comfortable with the way the airplane was performing, so he reduced power and landed the airplane on the remaining runway at the airport in Batavia, Ohio.
He added that he did not have enough runway to stop and attempted to exit on a taxiway but “understeered,” and the airplane exited the runway into a ditch.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The airplane’s maximum gross weight was 2,460 pounds, and the weight at the time of the accident was 2,600 pounds, which was about 140 pounds over the maximum gross weight and likely affected the airplane’s takeoff performance.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight due to his failure to perform preflight weight and balance calculations, which affected the airplane’s takeoff performance, and his subsequent decision to abort the takeoff with too little runway remaining, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA276
This May 2018 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.
140 over gross? There is nothing in either the NTSB or Pilot Report about any passengers on board. A C172R with only the pilot would be about 250 to 300 under gross weight, even with 53 gallons of fuel.
The NTSB accident docket says Andrew was the only occupant of the aircraft. If solo and still 140 lbs over gross he must have had a lot of stuff in the aircraft. Again, with only himself in the plane, even with full fuel (and no stuff) the plane would have likely been 300-400+ lbs UNDER its GTOW. It seems likely from the information available that he didn’t know what a fully loaded plane would feel like. He had only 130 hours PIC at the time of the accident.
Yes, I afraid that blaming the incident/accident on ‘being 140 pounds over gross’ is a bit of an overstatement on the part of the NTSB – or worse: an incomplete investigation…
He did not perform W&B if he failed to account for the full weight of the fuel. 140 pounds overweight? The airfield is 850ft elevation? Even a light sport plane can handle that amount of excess weight at near sea level. He should blame it on something else.
My father would have blamed the incident on the “nut” holding the wheel.