# NTSB CEN13LA503: Cessna 182A, N5131D, Concord, WI, August 24, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 2013, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Concord, WI
- Coordinates: 43.169723, -88.723052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1697&lon=-88.7231&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA -- Milwaukee Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA503
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87858/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87858
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA503

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly plan for a maximum performance takeoff by not fully addressing the elevated density altitude or the nonstandard runway surface conditions and his failure to properly configure the airplane's flap setting for the accident takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to depart from a 1,800-foot-long turf runway at the time of the accident. He noted that the grass was about 4 inches high and the ambient temperature was about 84 degrees F. The pilot stated that takeoff acceleration was slow and, when the airplane did not lift off within 200 feet of the expected point, he decided to abort the takeoff. He subsequently realized that he would not be able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway and intentionally veered to the left to avoid trees. The airplane encountered a soybean field and a small tree during the runway excursion. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He noted that the airplane weight was near the maximum certificated takeoff gross weight and commented that he should have more closely factored the effect of density altitude on the operation. The airport elevation was 833 feet, and the associated density altitude was about 2,070 feet. The airplane owner's handbook provided takeoff data applicable to a hard surfaced runway with a 20-degree flap setting. From a hard surface runway, at 2,500 feet mean sea level, an ambient temperature of about 81 degrees F, and calm wind, the expected ground roll would be about 750 feet. The investigation revealed that the pilot did not configure the airplane for a maximum performance takeoff as specified in the owner's handbook. The pilot attempted the accident takeoff with a 10-degree flap deflection instead of a 20-degree flap deflection, as specified. In addition, available takeoff performance data were only applicable to a hard-surfaced runway; takeoff data were not available for a turf runway. The takeoff from a turf runway and the improper flap setting, as well as the elevated density altitude that day, would be expected to increase the takeoff ground roll.

## Factual narrative

On August 24, 2013, about 1445 central daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N5131D, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff and runway excursion from a private airstrip located near Concord, Wisconsin. The pilot and front seat passenger were not injured; the rear seat passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on flight plan. The flight was originating at time of the accident. The intended destination was the Marion Airport (C17), Marion, Iowa.The pilot reported that he was attempting to depart from the 1,800-foot long turf runway at the time of the accident. He noted that the grass was about 4 inches high and the ambient temperature was about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated that takeoff acceleration was slow and when the airplane did not liftoff within 200 feet of the expected point he elected to abort the takeoff. He subsequently realized that he would not be able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway, and intentionally veered to the left in order to avoid trees. The airplane encountered a soybean field and a small tree during the runway excursion. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and engine firewall. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions which preceded the accident. He noted that the gross weight was approximately 2,640 lbs. at the time of the accident. The maximum certificated takeoff gross weight for the airplane was 2,650 lbs. He commented that he should have more closely factored the effect of density altitude on the operation. A postaccident examination determined that the accident takeoff was performed with a 10-degree flap setting. The propeller control also appeared to be extended about one-half inch from the full forward position. No anomalies were identified with respect to the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Weather conditions recorded at the Watertown Municipal Airport (RYV), located about 10 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1415 were: wind from 160 degrees at 5 knots; 10 miles visibility; clear sky; temperature 27 degrees Celsius; dew point 18 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. The airport elevation was 833 feet, and the associated density altitude was about 2,070 feet. The airplane owner's handbook provided takeoff data applicable to a hard surfaced runway with a 20-degree flap setting. From a hard surface runway, at 2,500 feet and with an ambient temperature of about 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and calm wind, the expected ground roll would be about 750 feet. However, takeoff data associated with a turf runway or with a 10-degree flap setting was not available.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5131D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5131D-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 51231, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51231
- Airframe hours: 2166
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 2012
- Departed: PVT, Concord, WI
- Destination: C17, Marion, IA
- Airport: PVT, Private, runway 09, 1,800 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 601 total, 480 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: RYV, 10 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 20130824015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130824015539A), Aug 24, 2013: Cessna 182A, Concord, WI, Substantial damage. The pilot was attempting a takeoff from a 1,700 ft. private grass runway. Since the airplane had not become airborne prior to a predetermined point, the pilot…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87858. 1.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Airplane Owner's Manual -- Excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 549 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400650&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20--%20Excerpt-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.

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