# NTSB CHI03LA205: Cessna 182Q, N95890, Empire, MI, July 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2003, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC) - Place: Empire, MI - Coordinates: 44.787498, -86.004165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7875&lon=-86.0042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration- Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57444/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA205 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. A contributing factor to the accident included the pilot not utilizing all available engine power during the entire takeoff. Additional factors were the improper wing flap setting and the cherry-tree orchard. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flaps - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a cherry-tree orchard during an attempted takeoff. The pilot reported that prior to the takeoff he had taxied the airplane to the end of runway 35 (2,600 feet by 50 feet, dry asphalt) to complete an engine run-up check. The pilot stated that no anomalies were noticed during the engine run-up and that he subsequently set the wing flaps to 10-degrees prior to departing. The pilot reported that the engine rpm was accelerated and the manifold pressure was set to 27 inches-of-mercury. The pilot stated the airplane "wasn't getting lift" during the takeoff roll, so he increased engine power to the maximum. The pilot reported after the airplane became airborne the stall warning horn sounded and he responded by lowering the airplane's nose, just clearing a pine tree in the process. The pilot stated he attempted to climb, but the stall warning horn sounded again and the airplane subsequently impacted the orchard near the departure end of the runway. The aircraft's takeoff checklist states that a normal takeoff is to be completed with full engine power and 20-degrees of wing flaps. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he "aborted takeoff instead of adding power." ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2003, at 1950 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N95890, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on initial climb from Empire Airport (Y87), Empire, Michigan. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Lake Ann, Michigan (4M0). According to the pilot's written account of the accident, prior to the takeoff he had taxied the airplane to the end of runway 35 (2,600 feet by 50 feet, dry asphalt) to complete an engine run-up check. The pilot stated that no anomalies were noticed during the engine run-up and that he subsequently set the wing flaps to 10-degrees prior to departing. The pilot reported that the engine rpm was accelerated and the manifold pressure was set to 27 inches-of-mercury. The pilot stated the airplane "wasn't getting lift" during the takeoff roll, so he increased engine power to the maximum. The pilot reported after the airplane became airborne the stall warning horn sounded and he responded by lowering the airplane's nose, just clearing a pine tree in the process. The pilot stated he attempted to climb, but the stall warning horn sounded again and the airplane subsequently impacted a cherry-tree orchard near the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he "aborted takeoff instead of adding power." The pilot provided a copy of the takeoff checklist for the accident airplane. The checklist states that a normal takeoff is to be completed with full engine power and 20-degrees of wing flaps. Wind data was obtained from the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) located at the Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), Traverse City, Michigan. The 1853 ASOS observation stated the winds were from 105-degrees magnetic at nine knots. TVC is located approximately 18 nm to the east of Y87. The calculated wind angles for the departure runway resulted in a four-knot tailwind and an eight-knot crosswind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95890](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95890-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 18266669, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182Q - Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18266669 - Engines: Continental IO-550 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tm2, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2003, 38.6 hours before - Departed: Y87, Empire, MI - Destination: 4M0, Lake Ann, MI - Airport: Y87, Empire Airport, runway 35, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 71 in this make and model, 79 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 105° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: TVC, 18 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 20030709029019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030709029019A), Jul 9, 2003: Cessna 182Q, Empire, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Unable to maintain power during climb - landed in orchard - extensive damage. 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.