CHI01LA156

The pilot aborted a takeoff on a soft grass field airstrip approximately 2,000 feet in length after noting that at over 1/2 down the runway the airplane would not rotate. The pilot stated that he did not perform a rolling takeoff and used 10 degrees of flaps. Federal Aviation Administration advisory information states that a rolling takeoff be performed on soft fields. The airplane manufacturer’s checklist for short field takeoffs cites a trailing edge flap setting of 20 degrees.

On June 10, 2001, at 1810 central daylight time, a Cessna R182, N7579T, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain during an aborted takeoff on runway 30 (2,000 feet by 75 feet, turf) at the Benson Airport, near White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The pilot reported that at over 1/2 down the runway (approximately 2,000 feet, grass) the airplane would not rotate. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and three passengers reported no injuries. The flight was en route to the Brainerd Municipal Airport, Brainerd, Minnesota.

The pilot reported the following in a written statement: "I was getting ready to fly back to Brainerd. I called for a flight brief and call in my flight plan. We drove to airstrip; I did walk around inspection, checked fuel, drained fuel, checked oil. We then taxied out to runway 31. I then checked all flight controls & engine instruments. I then locked brakes, pushed throttle all the way in, pushed fuel mixture all the way in, pushed propeller all the way in, pushed flaps down to first notch, RPM and manifold pressure was in green, I then let go of brakes and started to roll. I got up to 40 to 45 knots and airspeed leveled off, it did not continue to climb, I tried to rotate but would not. Airspeed still remained the same. I then pulled throttle back applied full brake. I still had over 700' to stop, didn't seem to be a problem. Then it seemed to start to go sideways, I had to fight it to keep it straight and it didn't seem to be slowing down much. We neared the end of runway we were still moving about 10mph. We caught a cable at end of runway, it broke nose gear and dove in to ground and flipped us over. At that time I scrambled to shut fuel off and master switch and get everybody out of aircraft."

Inspection of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the trailing edge flap selector and trailing edge flaps were in the 10 degree position. A compression check of the engine's cylinders revealed no anomalies.

According to the Flight Training Handbook, "...Stopping on a soft surface, such as mud or snow, might bog the airplane down; therefore, it should be kept in continuous motion with sufficient power while lining up for the takeoff roll... ." Also, "...As the airplane accelerates, enough back-elevator pressure should be applied to establish a positive angle of attack and to reduce weight supported by the nosewheel."

The short field takeoff distances and short field takeoff checklist for the Cessna 182 stipulate a wing flap setting of 20 degrees.