# NTSB CHI94LA029: Cessna 182N, N92881, Onaga, KS, October 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1993, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Onaga, KS
- Coordinates: 39.480186, -96.170417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4802&lon=-96.1704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA029

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's poor pre-flight planning and failure to maintain runway alignment.  Factors were the dark light conditions and the lack of runway lights.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD LANDED AT THIS UNCONTROLLED AND UNLIGHTED AIRPORT ON OTHER OCCASSIONS AT NIGHT WITH THE USE OF CAR LIGHTS.  ON THIS LANDING THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DIRT BERM.

## Factual narrative

On October 26, 1993, at 0630 central daylight time, a Cessna 182N, N92881, registered to Kansas State Flying Club of Manhattan, Kansas, and operated by a private pilot, collided with a dirt berm on the edge of runway 36, at the Grutzmacher Municipal Airport, Onaga, Kansas.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.  The business 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Manhattan, Kansas, about 0600.

The pilot indicated that he attempted to land at the uncontrolled and unlighted airport during hours of darkness.  He said he had done this successfully in the past with the aid of lights from a car.  He stated that this time he landed to the left of the runway and struck the lip of dirt where a dozer had been working.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92881](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92881), registered now, S/N 18260409, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60409
- Airframe hours: 7885
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kansas State Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 267 hours before
- Departed: MHK, MANHATTAN, KS
- Airport: 52K, Grutzmacher Muni., runway 36, 2,340 × 65 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,278 total, 303 in this make and model, 1,097 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19931026044709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931026044709A), Oct 26, 1993: Cessna 182N, Onaga, KS, Substantial damage. Tried to land on unlighted airport. Landed off side of runway and struck a dirt berm.

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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