# NTSB BFO85LA044: Cessna 182H, N8579S, Waynesboro, VA, May 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1985, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Waynesboro, VA
- Coordinates: 38.060535, -78.899345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0605&lon=-78.8993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA044

## 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
  - door,exterior crew - open (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE LEFT DOOR WAS OPEN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR, HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK TREES ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF RUNWAY 23.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8579S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8579S), registered now, S/N 18256679, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- 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: 18256679
- Airframe hours: 3310
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Augusta Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Lawrence M. Hamas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1985
- Departed: W13
- Destination: KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: W13, Waynesboro, runway 23, 2,009 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 526 total, 217 in this make and model, 378 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO, 23 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 19850507031229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850507031229A), May 7, 1985: Cessna 182H, Waynesboro, VA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll while trying to close the door. Aircraft struck trees along runway edge.

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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