# NTSB CHI93LA255: Cessna 182, N91162, Prairie City, IA, July 11, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1993, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Prairie City, IA
- Coordinates: 41.58908, -93.230392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5891&lon=-93.2304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA255

## Probable cause

the pilot's premature liftoff. Factors in the accident are the soft and wet sod runway.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - grass
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 35.  THE SOD FIELD WAS SOFT AND WET AND HE ELECTED TO USE A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE.  SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK TO THE RUNWAY.  THE MAIN LANDING GEAR TOUCHED DOWN FIRST, FOLLOWED BY THE NOSE WHEEL, WHICH BECAME MIRED IN THE MUD AND BROKE OFF.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY WENT OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT CLAIMED NO PREACCIDENT MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On July 11, 1993, about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 182 airplane, N91162, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from Prairie City Airport, Prairie City, Iowa.  The private pilot and three passengers aboard were not injured.  The local pleasure flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

The pilot reported during a telephone interview he was attempting to takeoff from runway 35.  The sod field was soft and wet and he elected to use a soft field takeoff technique.  Shortly after liftoff, the airplane settled back to the runway.  The main landing gear touched down first, followed by the nose wheel, which became mired in the mud and broke off.  The airplane subsequently went off the runway and nosed over.

The pilot claimed no preaccident mechanical difficulties with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91162](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91162), registered now, S/N 18261960, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18261960
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Baxter Flying Club
- Registered owner: Baxter Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 3C0, Prairie City Airport, runway 35, 1,500 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Observed at: FOD, 70 nm away

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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