Cessna 172A accident near Block Island, Rhode Island, July 26, 1994
On July 26, 1994 at about 2:15 am local time, a Cessna 172A, registered N5647A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Block Island, Rhode Island (Block Island State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to initiate VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The dark night light conditions and the fog were contributing factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 1994 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Block Island, Rhode Island · Block Island State
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172A · all 172As on the register
- Registration
- N5647A · no longer on the register · serial 28247
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with trees shortly after a night takeoff from runway 28, which is 2501 feet long. The non-instrument rated private pilot reported a 60 to 100 foot thick fog prevailed at the airport. The pilot initiated takeoff with the flaps set at 10 degrees. He indicated the engine tachometer did not exceed 2300 rpm and the venturi operated attitude indicator did not 'come up' during the takeoff roll. He climbed at 65 knots and then raised the flaps when he realized the airplane lacked climb performance. He noticed trees in his path, which he was unable to outclimb. He pitched the airplane up and struck trees with the tail of the airplane. A witness and one of the passengers reported there was heavy fog during the takeoff. FAA examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of mechanical malfunction. The airplane was estimated to be 75 pounds over gross weight.
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: multi-engine land
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 1,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,517 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 9, 1993; 150 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BID Block Island RI at 2:10 am
- Destination: BDL Windsor Locks CT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,501 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 0.2 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.