# NTSB CEN14CA289: Cessna 182A, N5172D, Valmeyer, IL, June 14, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2014, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Valmeyer, IL - Coordinates: 38.253055, -90.318336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2531&lon=-90.3183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 14, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA289 ## Probable cause The inadvertent deployment of the skydiver's drogue chute when he exited the airplane, resulting in it contacting and damaging the horizontal stabilizer. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Passenger (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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 According to the pilot's report, he leveled the airplane about 11,000 feet and established a speed of 80 mph with 10 degrees of flaps extended. When the last skydiver exited the airplane, its nose pitched up. The pilot pushed forwarded on the control wheel and added full engine power. He experienced "difficulties" in pushing the control wheel forward and thought a parachute caused the control issue. The pilot subsequently used full nose down trim to assist his control of the airplane. A witness in a chase airplane confirmed the bent right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot assessed the deteriorating flight control situation. He decided to jump out of the airplane over farmland and use his emergency parachute there. The pilot observed the accident airplane spiral down as he descended under his parachute. A skydiver reported there were no mechanical malfunctions up to the time he exited and the last skydiver confirmed that his reserve canopy had deployed prematurely as he was leaving the step. The pilot reported no other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot's report, he leveled the airplane about 11,000 feet and established a speed of 80 mph with 10 degrees of flaps extended. When the last skydiver exited the airplane, its nose pitched up. The pilot pushed forwarded on the control wheel and added full engine power. He experienced "difficulties" in pushing the control wheel forward and thought a parachute caused the control issue. The pilot subsequently used full nose down trim to assist his control of the airplane. A witness in a chase airplane confirmed the bent right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot assessed the deteriorating flight control situation. He decided to jump out of the airplane over farmland and use his emergency parachute there. The pilot observed the accident airplane spiral down as he descended under his parachute. A skydiver reported there were no mechanical malfunctions up to the time he exited and the last skydiver confirmed that his reserve canopy had deployed prematurely as he was leaving the step. The pilot reported no other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5172D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5172D-2017-10-24), registration cancelled 2017-10-24, S/N 51272, 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: 51272 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 7706 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-L 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Operator: Fly Free Skydiving - Registered owner: Cook Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2014 - Departed: FES, FESTUS, MO - Destination: FES, FESTUS, MO - Airport: FES, Festus Memorial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 215 total, 4 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KCPS, 21 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 20140614009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140614009529A), Jun 14, 2014: Cessna 182A, Valmeyer, IL, Destroyed. During normal cruise flight, while perfoming skydiver drops, the pilot experience a ?lurch? Immediately following the exit of his last of four jumpers. This… ## Other investigations on N5172D (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 CHI65F0159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI65F0159), Apr 22, 1965: Cessna 182A (N5172D), Phillips, WI, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89443. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Pilot) (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Pilot)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Operator)-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40414251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-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.