# NTSB ATL95LA064: Cessna 182, N1815X, Nashville, TN, March 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1995, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.190143, -86.949638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1901&lon=-86.9496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA064

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN THE INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
- Gear collapsed, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF, THE PILOT'S FLIGHT CONTROL INPUTS RESULTED IN A SERIES OF PORPOISES AFTER THE AIRPLANE HAD CLIMBED ABOUT EIGHT FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE FORTH OSCILLATION THE NOSE WHEEL AND PROPELLER ASSEMBLIES STRUCK THE PAVED RUNWAY SURFACE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE.

## Factual narrative

On March 17, 1995, at 1530 central standard time, a Cessna 182, N1815X, nose gear assembly collapsed during an attempted takeoff from runway 01 at the John C. Tune Airport, Nashville, Tennessee. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot and passenger were not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt.

According to the pilot, during the takeoff attempt, the airplane entered a series of pilot induced oscillations (porpoise) over the runway. The airplane initially climbed to eight feet and started a series of porpoises which terminated in the airplane colliding with the runway. During the collision, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway.

An examination of the airplane failed to disclose a component failure or malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1815X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1815X-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 18255915, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182250915
- Airframe hours: 4047
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R15 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zeller Aircraft Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1994, 63 hours before
- Departed: JWE
- Airport: JWE, John  C. Tune, runway 1, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 10 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: JWN

## 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 19950317004589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950317004589A), Mar 17, 1995: Cessna 182H, Nashville, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot induced oscillations on takeoff. Nose gear collapsed. Premature rotation and improper trim possible factors.

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.

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