Cessna 172N accident near Philippi, West Virginia, November 9, 2003
On November 9, 2003 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N738UL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Philippi, West Virginia (Simpson airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to depart from a runway of insufficient length. Factors in the accident were the turf runway and tailwind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 9, 2003 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Philippi, West Virginia · Simpson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N738UL · no longer on the register · serial 17270247
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed a short-field takeoff from runway 19, and rotated the airplane about 1,300 feet from the approach end of the runway. During the initial climb out, the airplane impacted the tops of 40-foot-tall trees, and came to rest inverted, suspended in a tree. The pilot experienced no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Interpolation of the Takeoff Distance Chart in the Cessna 172N Pilot's Operating Handbook, revealed that at a weight of 2100 lbs, 1,000 feet pressure altitude, temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, and a tailwind component of 5 knots, the calculated takeoff distance required was 1,685 feet, for operations on a dry, grass runway. The winds reported at an airport 10 miles to the northwest were from 340 degrees at 6 knots.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 423 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 4, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 952 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 819 as pilot in command; 146 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 5, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 6, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9W3 Philippi WV
- Destination: 71D Grafton WV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.53 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from CKB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.