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September 8, 2007, Mansfield, Mass., Cessna 172M

The airplane collided with the ground shortly after takeoff at 1030 Eastern time and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and front seated passenger were fatally injured. The two rear-seat passengers were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual conditions prevailed. A witness later reported observing the takeoff; the airplane was at an extreme angle when it passed by. He watched as the pilot turned into the wind, flying very slowly with approximately 10-15 degrees of flaps deployed. The witness stated the airplane turned almost a full 180 degrees; he believed that the left wing stalled at that point. The airplane then descended straight down from approximately 150 feet agl.

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Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the fatal injury of the pilot and front passenger, and serious injuries to two rear-seat passengers.
  • Witnesses observed the plane taking off at an extreme angle, making a slow, nearly 180-degree turn before appearing to stall its left wing at approximately 150 feet above ground level and descending straight down.
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The airplane collided with the ground shortly after takeoff at 1030 Eastern time and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and front seated passenger were fatally injured. The two rear-seat passengers were seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Visual conditions prevailed.

A witness later reported observing the takeoff; the airplane was at an extreme angle when it passed by. He watched as the pilot turned into the wind, flying very slowly with approximately 10-15 degrees of flaps deployed. The witness stated the airplane turned almost a full 180 degrees; he believed that the left wing stalled at that point. The airplane then descended straight down from approximately 150 feet agl.

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