# NTSB CEN09LA542: Cessna 182, N1921X, Weeping Water, NE, August 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2009, 13:03 local (18:03 UTC) - Place: Weeping Water, NE - Coordinates: 40.8675, -96.11 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8675&lon=-96.1100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 74594 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA542 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74594/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74594 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA542 ## Probable cause The pilots' improper execution of soft/short field take-off procedures. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from a soft, dry, 2,200-foot turf airfield using soft/short field procedures. After becoming airborne, the airplane settled back onto the runway, became airborne, and settled onto the runway a second time. At this time the right main wheel separated and the landing gear strut dug into the terrain spinning the airplane around and bringing it to an abrupt stop. The airplane was substantially damaged. An examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. Information contained in the NTSB Form 6120.1, as completed by the accident pilot, indicated that the airplane was five pounds under maximum gross weight at 2945 pounds. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2009, at 1303 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N1921X, registered to Lincoln Sport Parachute Club, Inc., impacted terrain during departure from Browns Airport (NE69), Weeping Water, Nebraska. Neither the airline transport pilot nor the four sky divers on board were injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was operated under provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.The pilot stated that he used a short/soft field take off procedure when departing the soft, dry, 2,200 foot turf airfield. After becoming airborne, the airplane briefly settled back onto the runway. The airplane became airborne and settled back onto the runway a second time after losing "ground effect" due to down sloping terrain; the right main wheel separating from the landing gear strut allowing the strut to dig into the ground. The airplane spun around and came to rest upright resulting in bent left and right wing spars, a bent fuselage aft of the passenger compartment, and a bent firewall. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector revealed no pre-existing mechanical anomalies. A review of the pilot's operating handbook (POH) for the Cessna 182 showed that soft field take-offs are to be "performed with 20 degrees of flaps by lifting the airplane off the ground as soon as practical in a slightly tail-low attitude" and the airplane accelerated in ground effect if no obstacles are present in the flight path. Consulting the performance charts found in the POH, at maximum gross weight, the calculated ground roll for this type aircraft was 730 feet with 1350 feet needed to clear a 50 foot obstacle. A 15 percent increase in ground roll distance is assessed for operation from a dry, grass runway. Density altitude at the time of the accident calculates to approximately 2,195 feet. The accident aircraft was upgraded with Short take-off and landing (STOL) equipment in the form of ART R1582 wing extensions, and an engine conversion that allow for an increased take-off gross weight limit. Information contained in the NTSB Form 6120.1, as completed by the accident pilot, indicated that the airplane was five pounds under maximum gross weight at 2945 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1921X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1921X-2010-01-05), registration cancelled 2010-01-05, S/N 18256021, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (H) - 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: 18256021 - Airframe hours: 4900 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O470 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Lincoln Sport Parachute Club Inc. - Registered owner: Lincoln Sport Parachute Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NE69, Weeping Water, NE - Destination: NE69, Weeping Water, NE - Airport: NE69, Browns Airport, runway 17, 2,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 6,133 total, 200 in this make and model, 5,733 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 160 °F, dew point 131 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KPMV, 12 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 20090822017349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090822017349A), Aug 22, 2009: Cessna 182H, Weeping Water, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) N1921X, CE-182-H, operated by lincoln sport parachute club, went off the end of the runway on takeoff and crashed into trees in a ravine. The pilot and… ## Other investigations on N1921X (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 MKC67F0626](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0626), Mar 6, 1967: Cessna 182 (N1921X), Gallatin, TN, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74594. 547 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 520 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.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.