Cessna 172M accident near New Castle, Virginia, April 7, 2013
On April 7, 2013 at about 6:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N92804, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near New Castle, Virginia (New Castle International airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff after recognizing that the airplane was not accelerating properly, which led to an aerodynamic stall. The reason for the lack of acceleration could not be determined because postaccident examinations did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2013 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- New Castle, Virginia · New Castle International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N92804 · no longer on the register · serial 17261624
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, before departure, he performed an engine run-up and then initiated takeoff from the 2,400-foot-long upsloping grass runway in accordance with soft-field takeoff procedures. The airplane was slow to produce speed; but, it lifted off the ground. Although the pilot attempted to fly in ground effect to produce more speed, he soon realized that he did not have enough speed or altitude to clear trees beyond the runway, so he maneuvered the airplane toward a clearing where he intended to land the airplane. However, the airplane then stalled, the left wing tip contacted the ground, and the airplane cart-wheeled. The pilot further reported that he should have recognized the "sluggish speed sooner and [aborted the] takeoff." Examinations revealed that the magnetos were slightly out of timing and that both of the No. 2 cylinder's spark plugs contained lead and carbon deposits; however, it could not be determined how this affected engine power or whether these conditions would have been noticeable to the pilot during the engine run-up before departure or during the takeoff. Examinations revealed no anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. Postaccident performance calculations indicate that, based on the airplane's weight, the reported headwind component, and takeoff from a grass runway, the total distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle was 914 feet; therefore, the pilot should have been able to clear the trees.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 223 hours in all; 176 in this make and model; 76 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 205 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 31, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,617 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 4, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VA85 New Castle VA at 6:45 pm
- Destination: MWK Mount Airy NC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 18, 2,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from ROA, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.