Every now and then, I come across an NTSB accident report that leaves me shaking my head. After absorbing the facts and the outcome, I want to reach out to grab the pilot and shake him—it’s always a “him”—into some more enlightened state of awareness regarding the possible consequences of his actions. So it is with this month’s Accident Probe entry, which pretty much represents the gold standard of what not to do when it comes to aircraft ownership and operation. Rather than attempt to explain the inexplicable as an introduction, let’s just dive right in.
BACKGROUND
On August 16, 2018, at about 1935 Central time, a Cessna 172L Skyhawk impacted trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from the turf runway at the Rhome Meadows Airport (T76), Rhome, Texas. The commercial pilot was fatally injured; the three passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
