# Accident 19970717018779A: Cessna 182N, Sacramento, CA, July 17, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 17, 1997, 18:10 local time
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Airport: Mather Afb
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Aborted (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.5391° N, 121.2794° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5391&lon=-121.2794&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9099G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9099G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 182N (registry code 2072730, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Reported engine: CONT O470*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 109 total, 14 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX97LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA252) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970717018779A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4) WHILE PERFORMING THE WALK AROUND INSPECTION THE PILOT NOTED THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE THE PILOT REPOSITIONED THE TRIM WHEEL INSIDE THE COCKPIT TO THE TAKEOFF POSITION. DURING TAKEOFF ROTATION THE PILOT EASED BACK ON THE YOKE AND REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT FELT HEAVIER THAN USUAL. AS THE AIRCRAFT CAME OFF THE GROUND, THE PILOT RELEASED SOME OF THE BACK PRESSURE AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT PULLED THE YOKE BACK AND THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED HIGHER AND HARDER. AFTER THE SECOND BOUNCE THE PILOT REDUCED THE POWER, THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE LANDING GEAR. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH BEFORE THE ACCIDENT A DISCREPANCY WAS REPORTED INDICATING THAT THE PITCH TRIM WIRE HAD JUMPED ITS GROOVE. THE SAME FACILITY THAT HAD WORKED ON THE AIRCRAFT THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT HAD REPAIRED THE PITCH TRIM WIRE BY REPOSITIONING THE PITCH TRIM INDICATOR TO CENTER TRAVEL IN THE WINDOW. THE AIRCRAFT'S TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NOTES THAT THE TOTAL TRIM TAB TRAVEL SHOULD BE 43 DEGREES INCLUDING THE PLUS/MINUS TOLERANCES. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THAT THE TOTAL TRIM TRAVEL AVAILABLE WAS           35 DEGREES. THE INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE TOTAL TRIM TRAVEL FAVORED THE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, BUT IT WAS OFF-CENTERED BY ONLY 5 DEGREES. THE COCKPIT INDICATOR WAS FOUND TO MOVE EASILY FROM GROVE TO GROVE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX97LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA252), Jul 18, 1997: Cessna 182N (N9099G), Sacramento, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of maintenance personnel to adequately repair the pitch trim system and ensure that it was properly rigged, and the pilot's failure to maintain pitch control due to the distraction at liftoff…

## Other reports on N9099G (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19750728021879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750728021879A), Jul 28, 1975: Cessna 182N (N9099G), Fortuna, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot experienced vertigo after crossing the VOR. Hit hill drg recovery.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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