On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:44:30 GMT, Matt Whiting
wrote in :

Larry Dighera wrote:

On 27 Aug 2006 08:39:44 -0700, wrote in
. com:


I was mentioning
how illogical a crash-shortly-after-takeoff is, given that beyond V1
takeoff can safely be continued even with just one good engine.


I once witnessed a Cessna C-172 crash on takeoff at Santa Monica
Airport (KSMO) in the early '70s. The aircraft rotated, and rocketed
skyward at a very high angle, stalled, and nosed into the runway. The
pilot escaped with a broken finger. The cause was a result of the
trim being set wrong. Don't forget your check list.

I'd say in a 172 that the cause was a pilot who didn't know how to fly
the airplane. It isn't that hard to overcome the trim on a 172. There
are probably airplanes where this isn't the case, but the 172 isn't one
of them.


I'd say you are right. Here's the (poorly formatted) NTSB report:

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=44872&key=0
NTSB Identification: LAX75FUD03
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Monday, December 30, 1974 in SNTA MONICA, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 172M, registration: N13723

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FILE DATE LOCATION AIRCRAFT DATA INJURIES
FLIGHT PILOT DATA F S M/N
PURPOSE----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3-4024
74/12/30 SNTA MONICA,CALIF CESSNA 172M CR- 0 0 1
INSTRUCTIONAL STUDENT, AGE 45, 21 TOTAL TIME - 1649
N13723 PX- 0 0 0 SOLO HOURS, ALL
IN TYPE, NOT DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL
OT- 0 0 0 INSTRUMENT RATED. NAME
OF AIRPORT - SANTA MONICA DEPARTURE POINT INTENDED
DESTINATION SNTA MONICA,CALIF LOCAL TYPE OF
ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION
STALL TAKEOFF:
INITIAL CLIMB PROBABLE CAUSE(S) PILOT IN COMMAND -
IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS PILOT IN COMMAND -
FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED FACTOR(S) PILOT IN
COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT MISCELLANEOUS
ACTS,CONDITIONS - TOUCH AND GO LANDING REMARKS- SECOND SOLO
FLT.