# NTSB Accident ERA16FA161
> **CESSNA 172** · 2016-04-18 · Westmoreland, NY, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** ERA16FA161
- **Event ID:** 20160418X04320
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2016-04-18
- **Location:** Westmoreland, NY, USA
- **Coordinates:** 43.113609, -75.422225
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 2
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 1
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** CESSNA
- **Model:** 172
- **Registration:** N1863Y
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DUSK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff on the grass runway given the conditions at the time; his excessive aft control input during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the aft fuselage contacting the runway surface; and his failure to attain sufficient airspeed and exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=ERA16FA161) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*