# NTSB ATL04LA063: Cessna 182G, N3102S, Taylorsville, NC, January 3, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 3, 2004, 13:33 local (18:33 UTC) - Place: Taylorsville, NC - Coordinates: 35.93, -81.184722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9300&lon=-81.1847&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Charlotte FSDO-33, Cessna Aircraft Company - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 87-20-03 R2](https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-20-03-R2) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 58571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58571/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58571 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow the checklist, resulting in a loss of directional control on the takeoff roll when the seat moved rearward, and on ground collision with an embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The pilot started the takeoff roll. Just before rotation, the seat slid backwards. The pilot lost directional control of the airplane, and the airplane collided with an embankment. Examination of the seat tracks revealed no elongation of the seat track holes. The Before Starting The Engine checklist states, "Seats and Seat belts-Adjust and lock." ## Factual narrative On January 3, 2004, at 1333 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182G, N3102S, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with an embankment on takeoff roll at Taylorsville Airport, Taylorsville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Teague-Grider Airport, Taylorsville, North Carolina, on January 3, 2003, at 1333. The pilot stated he started his takeoff roll on the west runway, and just before rotation his seat slid backwards. The pilot reported that he "lost directional control" of the airplane, and the airplane subsequently collided with an embankment. Examination of the front seats revealed both seat track rails were buckled. The seat track pin holes were measured at 0.28 inches longitudinal and sideways dimensions. Air Worthiness Directive 87-20-03R2, Seat Tracks, requires inspection of all pin holes at 100 hour intervals. Replacement of the seat rail becomes mandatory once any dimension exceed 0.42. No elongation of the seat track pin holes were noted. Review of the Cessna 182 Pilot Operating Handbook, Section I, states in the BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE checklist, "(1) Seats and Seat Belts-Adjust and lock." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3102S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3102S-2005-10-28), registration cancelled 2005-10-28, S/N 18255602, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255602 - Airframe hours: 2990 - Engines: Continental O-470-R55B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John R. Graham - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2003, 46 hours before - Departed: 5A5, Taylorsville, NC - Destination: SVH, Statesville, NC - Airport: Taylorsville Airport, runway 270, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 5, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 186 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: SVH, 39 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040103032089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040103032089A), Jan 3, 2004: Cessna 182G, Taylorsville, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 3, 2004, at 1333 local time, a Cessna 182-G, N3102S, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2006, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58571. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Alexander County E. M. Report (item 2, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Alexander%20County%20E.%20M.%20Report-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40214550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Alexander County EMS Report (item 4, .PDF, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411764&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Alexander%20County%20EMS%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 5, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40214552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo of N3102S at rest. (item 6, .PDF, 424 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40214554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20N3102S%20at%20rest.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.