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GAA17CA302

2017-05-20 · Prospect, Oregon, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 64S

Current FAA registration · N175DH

Make / Model
CESSNA 175
Year of manufacture
1959 · 58 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER (145 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19591114
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A12C13

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The flight instructor’s failure to attain an adequate climb rate during takeoff, which resulted in impact with trees.

Factual narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a demonstrated soft field takeoff, the right lift strut impacted the tops of three trees. The flight instructor continued to his destination with no other anomiles. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that, during a demonstrated soft-field takeoff, the right lift strut impacted the tops of three trees. The flight instructor continued to his destination without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Climb rate-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA302.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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