Cessna 172 accident near Davis, West Virginia, August 12, 2000
On August 12, 2000 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N8874B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Davis, West Virginia (Windwood Fly-In Resort airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot-in-command's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a takeoff with a tailwind, and a subsequent inadvertent stall. Factors were a high gross weight, a high density altitude, and a tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 2000 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Davis, West Virginia · Windwood Fly-In Resort · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N8874B · no longer on the register · serial 36574
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Several minutes prior to the accident flight, the pilot flew a solo familiarization flight in the accident airplane. During the solo flight, he departed Runway 6 and returned uneventfully. The pilot then boarded three passengers for a scenic flight, and observed that the wind was not favoring either runway, as it was from the northwest, about 330 degrees at 10-12 knots. The airplane was near the maximum gross weight, and the density altitude at the airport was approximately 4,068 feet msl. Trees and a house were at the departure end of the 3,000-foot long runway. The pilot taxied to Runway 24, and several minutes later, performed a short field takeoff. A witness stated that the winds were from the northeast when the accident flight departed. As the airplane lifted off, the pilot observed the windsock again. He then realized that the wind was favoring Runway 6; however, he continued the takeoff. The pilot tried to avoid a house, and the airplane stalled to the left.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 293 hours in all; 57 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 273 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,042 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 4, 2000; 43 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WV62 at 4:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from EKN, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.