# NTSB CHI05LA122: Cessna R182, N7361Y, Vandalia, IL, May 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2005, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Vandalia, IL - Coordinates: 38.99139, -89.166114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9914&lon=-89.1661&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 March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 61577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61577/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA122 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to undetermined reasons. ## 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with the terrain following a loss of control during initial climb after takeoff. A witness reported seeing the airplane takeoff on runway 36. She stated that approximately 20 seconds after taking off, the airplane entered a 90 degree left bank and disappeared below the tree line. The airplane collided with a freshly planted bean field. The impact site was approximately 3,000 feet down the length of the runway and about 500 feet west of the runway. Examination of the airframe and engine failed to reveal any failures/malfunctions which would have resulted in the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 2005, at 0830 central daylight time, a Cessna R182, N7361Y, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while taking off from runway 36 (3,752 feet by 100 feet asphalt), at the Vandalia Municipal Airport (VLA), Vandalia, Illinois. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was Greenville Airport (GRE), Greenville, Illinois. A witness reported seeing the airplane takeoff on runway 36. She stated that approximately 20 seconds after taking off, the airplane entered a 90-degree left bank and disappeared below the tree line. The airplane collided with a freshly planted bean field. The impact site was approximately 3,000 feet down the length of the runway and about 500 feet west of the runway. Post-accident examination of the wreckage was conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration; Springfield, Illinois, Flight Standards District Office. The inspectors reported that flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all of the flight control surfaces, and the landing gear and flaps were in the retracted position. They reported the propeller blades exhibited "S" bending and chordwise scratching, and that engine continuity was established. The inspectors reported that no airframe or engine failures/malfunctions were found which would have resulted in the accident. The accident occurred on the second flight since the aircraft annual inspection was completed. On the day prior to the accident the pilot took off from VLA and returned shortly thereafter stating he was not able to complete the flight because of weather in the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7361Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7361Y-2013-08-27), registration cancelled 2013-08-27, S/N R18200126, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna R182 - Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18200126 - Airframe hours: 5958 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Maurice L. Tompkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 1 hours before - Departed: VLA, Vandalia, IL - Destination: GRE, Greenville, IL - Airport: VLA, Vandalia, runway 36, 3,752 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 26,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots, gusting 8 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: 1H2, 30 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 20050521012389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050521012389A), May 21, 2005: Cessna R182, Vandalia, IL, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft was departing runway 36 in Vandalia, IL at 8:45 local time. A witness states that about twenty seconds after takeoff the aircraft turned to the… 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.