IAD96LA118

Factual narrative

On July 14, 1996, at about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N78149, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the runway shortly after takeoff from runway 23 at Frederick Municipal Airport, in Frederick, Maryland. The certificated private pilot and the two passengers reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The flight originated from Frederick Municipal Airport at 1159, with an intended destination of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The pilot reported that during a previous takeoff attempt from Frederick "...a severe shimmy was felt in the aircraft." He added that the takeoff was aborted and that the aircraft was inspected prior to the next takeoff with no anomalies noted. The pilot said, "In a telephone call to the plane's home base, it was learned that this particular plane had a chronic nose shimmy, and it was suggested that maintaining back pressure on takeoff would solve the problem. When back pressure was applied on the second takeoff attempt, the shimmy was less noticeable. However, because of the back pressure, the plane became airborne at relatively low airspeed; back pressure was not appropriately released; and, after reaching an altitude of between 10 and 15 feet, the plane settled to the runway. The plane landed on its nose gear which collapsed, the propeller and right wing tip contacted the runway, and the plane stopped." The pilot stated that he aborted the first takeoff attempt because of a '...severe shimmy... .' Inspection revealed no anomalies, so the pilot attempted a second takeoff. The pilot reported, 'When back pressure was applied on the second takeoff attempt, the shimmy was less noticeable. However, because of the back pressure, the plane became airborne at relatively low airspeed; back pressure was not appropriately released; and, after reaching an altitude of between 10 and 15 feet, the plane settled to the runway. The plane landed on its nose gear which collapsed, the propeller and right wing tip contacted the runway, and the plane stopped.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12