# NTSB CHI03LA045: Cessna 182S, N2724R, Alton, IL, January 3, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 3, 2003, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Alton, IL - Coordinates: 38.890277, -90.046112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8903&lon=-90.0461&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56292 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56292/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56292 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA045 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing factors were the wet, icy runway conditions and the presence of the snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it departed the runway surface and impacted a snowbank. The student pilot, on a solo flight, reported that he had completed one takeoff and landing, and was attempting to takeoff again when the accident occurred. He stated that he had applied full power, when the airplane "started veering to the left." The pilot noted that he was afraid of overcontrolling and did not apply brakes. "When I realized I was headed off of [the] runway, I pulled power and hit 15" high snow bank," the pilot reported. He also stated that the ATIS received prior to taxi reported braking action as "poor" on runway 35. The pilot noted that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane, either prior to, or at the time of, the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 3, 2003, approximately 1200 cst, a Cessna 182S (Skylane), N2724R, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway surface and impacted a snowbank at the St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN), Alton, Illinois. The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 35 (6,500 feet x 100 feet, asphalt) and was attempting a takeoff when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The solo-instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. In his written statement, the pilot noted that he was practicing takeoffs and landings in the local traffic pattern. He reported completing one takeoff and landing, and was attempting to takeoff again when the accident occurred. The pilot stated: "...after landing I straightened up and applied full power for takeoff .... Started veering to left and could not bring plane back to center. When I realized I was headed off of [the] runway, I pulled power and hit 15" high snow bank." He noted that he was afraid of overcontrolling and did not apply brakes. He estimated that the airplane's speed was 60 knots when it impacted the snowbank. The pilot noted that the ALN automatic terminal information service (ATIS) received prior to requesting a taxi clearance reported the braking action on runway 35 as "poor". In his statement, the pilot reported the runway conditions as "ice, wet". He reported no failures or malfunctions associated with the aircraft, either prior to, or at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2724R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2724R), registered now, S/N 18280322, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182S - Registry model: [Cessna 182S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182s) (registry code 2072701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18280322 - Airframe hours: 544 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: R. J. T. Leasing, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 26, 2002, 52 hours before - Departed: ALN, Alton, IL - Airport: ALN, St Louis Regional, runway 35, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 71 total, 28 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: ALN ## 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 20030103003219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030103003219A), Jan 3, 2003: Cessna 182S, Alton/St Louis, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was practicing normal touch and goes on runway 35 which was wet with patches of standing water due to melting snow, winds were from 300 degrees… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=56292. 330 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Interview (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376081&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-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.