# NTSB CHI92LA245: Cessna 182A, N5197D, Colfax, IN, August 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Colfax, IN
- Coordinates: 40.190055, -86.66014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1901&lon=-86.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA245

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY AND A PREMATURE LIFT OFF. FACTORS WERE UPHILL TERRAIN AND UNFAVORABLE (QUARTERING/TAIL) WIND.

## 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
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO INITIATE A TAKEOFF FROM A GRASS RUNWAY WHICH HAD AN UPHILL GRADIENT IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF RUN THERE WAS A QUARTERING TAILWIND.  THE PILOT INITIATED A PREMATURE LIFT OFF AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO RETURN THE AIRPLANE TO THE RUNWAY SURFACE.  THE AIRPLANE SETTLED, BUT NOT ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY DIRECTION.  CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5197D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5197D-1994-08-08), registration cancelled 1994-08-08, S/N 51297 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51297
- Airframe hours: 3491
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Touch N Go Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1992
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: CFJ, CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN
- Airport: 41II, Larsh Flightpark Airport, runway 27, 1,860 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,750 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 22 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 19920819032129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920819032129A), Aug 19, 1992: Cessna 182A, Colfax, IN, Substantial damage. Sluggish climb after forcing liftoff on upslope runway. Lost control landing off side of runway. Nosed over.

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.