Cessna 172 Pilot Makes Fatal Takeoff Mistake!

On a warm summer evening in 2019, a Cessna 172 took off from a short mountain runway in Oregon and never made it home. What should have been a routine flight turned into tragedy when the aircraft collided with trees just beyond the runway. This is the story of what went wrong, what lessons pilots can learn, and how a young aviator’s inexperience may have played a crucial role in the crash.

A Young Pilot and a Classic Trainer

The pilot of the doomed flight was a 23-year-old private pilot with 69 hours of total flight time—all in the Cessna 172, the same aircraft he rented for this flight. He had obtained his certificate less than a year earlier and had just completed a flight review a month before the accident. However, his logbook showed no experience with takeoffs or landings at mountain airports.

On August 27, 2019, he rented the Cessna 172 (N4108F) for a flight between Lebanon, Oregon, and McKenzie Bridge State Airport (00S). McKenzie Bridge is a challenging airstrip: a narrow 2,600-ft-long grass runway surrounded by towering trees and rising terrain. According to FAA airport charts, takeoffs to the east (Runway 6) were not recommended—but that’s exactly the direction he chose for departure.

The Takeoff That Never Climbed High Enough

Witnesses at the airport saw the aircraft pass overhead just 5 feet above the runway before beginning a shallow climb. Some noted that its wings wobbled—perhaps due to turbulence or an attempt at last-minute corrections. The engine power increased, and the plane started to climb, but only briefly. Moments later, it disappeared behind the trees.

Fifteen minutes later, smoke began rising from the dense forest. The Cessna had collided with treetops about 615 feet past the runway’s end. The aircraft flipped over and crashed, ultimately consumed by a post-impact fire. The pilot and his passenger did not survive.

Why the Plane Couldn’t Climb

Investigators determined that the pilot likely misjudged his aircraft’s performance, particularly in high-density altitude conditions. On the day of the crash, the temperature was 98°F, which created a calculated density altitude of 4,481 feet—far above the airport’s actual elevation of 1,620 feet.

Higher density altitude reduces engine performance, propeller efficiency, and climb rate. The Cessna 172, at its current weight and conditions, required at least 1,330 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. However, this calculation was for a hard-surface runway, not a grass one, and did not account for the 120-foot trees at the end of the runway. Given these additional factors, the aircraft was unlikely to have ever cleared the obstacles.

Pilot Inexperience and Decision Errors

The accident wasn’t just about poor takeoff performance—it was also about inexperience and decision-making. The pilot:

• Had never performed landings or takeoffs at mountain airports
• Chose to depart in the wrong direction, despite clear warnings
• Attempted a takeoff in high-density altitude conditions without adjusting for reduced aircraft performance
• Likely underestimated the aircraft’s ability to climb over the rising terrain

Had he taken off in the opposite direction (Runway 24), he would have had a much safer departure, avoiding the steep terrain and tall trees. The airport signage even advised against taking off from Runway 6, but the pilot either didn’t see or didn’t heed that warning.

Mechanical Failure or Pilot Error?

Investigators ruled out any major mechanical issues. While the propeller damage suggested the engine may have been producing reduced power at impact, the fire damage made a full mechanical inspection difficult. Still, there was no evidence of a catastrophic engine failure before the crash.

Instead, all signs pointed to pilot misjudgment and environmental factors. The NTSB concluded that the probable cause of the crash was the pilot’s delayed climb and miscalculation of aircraft performance, combined with insufficient experience in mountain flying.

Lessons for Pilots

This accident highlights several key safety lessons for pilots, especially those with limited experience:

🛑 Know Your Density Altitude Limits – Hot temperatures and high altitudes drastically reduce aircraft performance. Pilots should always calculate takeoff and climb performance for the actual conditions, not just the aircraft handbook figures.

🌲 Respect Terrain and Obstacles – A short grass runway surrounded by tall trees requires careful planning. If the numbers don’t add up, don’t take the risk.

📚 Train for Mountain Flying – Pilots new to mountain airports should seek specialized training. Techniques like density altitude awareness, canyon turn procedures, and proper departure planning could save lives.

🚀 Depart in the Recommended Direction – Airport charts and signage are there for a reason. The safest departure route might not always be the most convenient one.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that even the most forgiving aircraft—like the Cessna 172—can become unforgiving in the wrong conditions.

Final Thoughts

This accident was preventable. A young pilot with a promising future made a simple yet fatal miscalculation—one that countless pilots before him have also made. The best way to honor his memory is to learn from his mistake.

Before your next flight, especially at an unfamiliar or high-altitude airport, ask yourself: Do I truly understand the performance limitations of my aircraft in these conditions? Your answer could be the difference between a safe flight and a tragic outcome.