Cessna 172 accident near Gatesvile, Texas, February 28, 2018
On February 28, 2018 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 1966 Cessna 172, registered N1118F, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Gatesvile, Texas (Private Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during initial climb in a gusty condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2018 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Gatesvile, Texas · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 G, built 1966 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N1118F · no longer on the register · serial 17254713
- 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 he performed a soft field takeoff from the left side of the turf runway where it was firmer. The airplane climbed to 20 ft above ground level where it encountered wind gusts from the right. The airplane drifted to the left, collided with the wind sock pole, and then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The nearest METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 170° at 17 kts and gusting to 22 kts. The pilot reported in the recommendation section of the National Transportation Board pilot aircraft accident report, that the accident could have been prevented if he had initiated the takeoff from the center of the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wind sock › Effect on equipment
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,090 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 3,090 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 23, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,091 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 4, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 1,828 hours total
- Operator: Ecological Services International
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Gatesvile TX at 7:00 pm
- Destination: PIL Port Isable TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 3,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,300 ft; scat at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 6:49 pm from KTPL, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on June 15, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.