# NTSB CHI04LA016: Oostdik M-18-X, N53TW, Pana, IL, October 18, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 2003, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Pana, IL
- Coordinates: 39.534168, -89.327774
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5342&lon=-89.3278&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58200
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58200/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA016

## Probable cause

The pilot's attention was diverted to a person on the ground which resulted in his failure to maintain altitude/clearance with trees .  A contributing factor to the accident were trees.

## 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
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

An experimental amateur-built airplane collided with trees during takeoff from a private airstrip.  The pilot was waving to his brother on initial climb out when the airplane made contact with trees and impacted the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 2003, about 1230 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Oostdik M-18-X, N53TW, collided with trees while taking off to the south on a private airstrip (1,600 foot long, grass) in Pana, Illinois.  The private pilot was seriously injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Taylorville, Illinois.

The pilot stated he began his takeoff roll and lifted off about 50 miles per hour.  The pilot stated that during initial climb he noticed his brother standing by a nearby hangar.  The pilot "waved" to his brother, and only remembers hearing tree limbs hitting the airplane before the airplane impacted the terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53TW-2013-11-04), registration cancelled 2013-11-04, S/N 1392, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Oostdik M-18-X
- Registry model: [Oostdik Thomas W MOONEY M-18-X](https://openairdocs.org/model/oostdik-thomas-w-mooney-m-18-x) (registry code 05623NB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1392
- Engines: Continental 75 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald E. Crosby
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: PVT, Pana, IL
- Destination: TAZ, Taylorville, IL
- Airport: PVT, Private field, runway 18, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 2, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 449 total, 449 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC)
- Wind: 210° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: TAZ, 15 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 20031018032729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031018032729A), Oct 18, 2003: Amtr M18X, Pana, IL, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft departed to the south on a private field. Shortly after takeoff, and at an altitude of approximately 10-20 feet above the ground, the aircraft's…

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.

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