NTSB Factual Report

On June 24, 2007, at 1145 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N4422R, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during initial climb from Walter's Agri-Center Airport, Rio Creek, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the two passengers sustained serious injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The passenger estimated the airplane was loaded as follows: Pilot weight: 180 lbs, Right seat passenger: 250 lbs, and Left rear seat passenger: 240 lbs. There was approximately 200 lbs of fish fillets in the right rear passenger seat and 50-60 lbs of baggage in the baggage compartment. According to the aircraft weight and balance data and equipment list dated September 9, 1998, the airplane had a useful load of 857.4 lbs.

The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and calculated a weight and balance for the flight which he "thought" were within limits. He stated that he did not "quite fill [fuel] tanks down at least 2 inches on each side." He stated that he preformed a soft field takeoff with a rotation speed of 65 mph "way before" a point that was about half down the runway 25 (1,750 feet by 48 feet, grass). He stated that the airplane climb rate was about 500 feet per minute, and the airplane attained an altitude of approximately 100-150 feet above ground level when the engine quit. The airplane then impacted terrain during a forced landing damaging the firewall.

A witness stated the airplane was pulled out of a hangar, a preflight was performed, and the airplane was then taxied to the fuel pump. The airplane was then taxied to the runway and took off. The witness stated the he never heard the engine stop.

Another witness stated that the airplane stalled while climbing over the trees.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot reported that he received facial injuries when the airplane impacted the ground. Both propeller blade tips were missing and displayed fracture surfaces consistent with overload separation. There was a propeller slash mark that preceded the wreckage. The airplane was fueled with approximately 30 gallons of automotive gasoline prior to the takeoff.

The pilot stated that he was wearing his shoulder harness but it had slipped off the seat belt latch. Examination of the pilot's seat revealed that the plastic retainer for the shoulder harness pin was missing. A black O-ring was in place below the metal cone washer on the right front seat shoulder harness pin.

There was no placard adjacent to the fuel caps stating that the airplane is to be fueled with unleaded automotive gasoline as required by the supplemental type certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper aircraft weight and balance, and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall during takeoff-initial climb.