# NTSB CHI03LA020: Cessna 182N, N253R, Wheatfield, IN, November 9, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 9, 2002, 10:41 local (15:41 UTC) - Place: Wheatfield, IN - Coordinates: 41.263332, -87.135002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2633&lon=-87.1350&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - South Bend FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56061 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56061/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA020 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining aircraft control and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind condition. Factors to the accident were the gusting wind condition and the inadvertent stall at a low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - altitude - low - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While on initial climb after takeoff the airplane encountered a wind gust, stalled, and subsequently impacted the terrain. The pilot stated he departed on runway 27 and encountered a "gust of wind from the south" and the airplane stalled. The pilot reported that he recovered from the stalled condition and then experienced another stall. The pilot stated he did not recover from the second stall prior to the impact with the terrain. At 1053 a weather observation station recorded the wind direction and speed as 200 degrees magnetic at 19 knots gusting to 24 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 9, 2002, at 1041 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182N, N253R, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain while on initial climb after takeoff from the Flying J Airport, Wheatfield, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his three passengers reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he departed on runway 27 and encountered a "gust of wind from the south" and the airplane stalled. The pilot reported that he recovered from the stalled condition and then experienced another stall. The pilot stated he did not recover from the second stall prior to the impact with the terrain. At 1053 a weather observation station, located 13 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, recorded the wind direction and speed as 200 degrees magnetic at 19 knots gusting to 24 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N253R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N253R-2006-01-31), registration cancelled 2006-01-31, S/N 182-60281, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182N - Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18260281 - Airframe hours: 3897.18 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John C. Perzee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2002, 15.55 hours before - Departed: IN61, Wheatfield, IN - Destination: IN61, Wheatfield, IN - Airport: IN61, Flying J Airport, runway 27, 2,600 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 15, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 810 total, 642 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 19 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: VPZ, 13 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 20021109035629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021109035629A), Nov 9, 2002: Cessna 182N, Wheatfield, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft crashes shortly after takeoff from grass strip, runway 27 at Flying J Airport (IN61). Winds were reported at vpz, located 20 miles north of… 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.