# NTSB CHI97LA307: Cessna 182, N7331Q, Dassel, MN, September 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 1997, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Dassel, MN - Coordinates: 45.079174, -94.299171 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0792&lon=-94.2992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10714/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA307 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the airstrip. Factors associated with the accident were the high vegetation which skewed the pilot's visual perception of threshold, and the embankment which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, approach - vfr pattern - final approach ## Analysis The airplane contacted an embankment prior to the threshold of the sod runway on a private airstrip as the pilot was practicing a short field landing. He reported that the grass prior to the threshold had not been mowed and it was long enough to hide the embankment, giving him the impression that the runway was lower than it actually was. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 1997, at 1800 central daylight time, a Cessna 182, N7331Q, owned and operated by a private pilot collided with the terrain when it touched down short of the prepared grass surface at a private airstrip in Dassel, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight which was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 originated from the private airstrip at 1730. The pilot reported that the accident occurred during his second landing and that he was attempting to land a little shorted then he did during the first landing. He reported that he thought he was on a proper glideslope for the landing, but when he reduced the power he heard a "whaping" noise and the airplane pitched down as he crossed the threshold. The airplane contacted the terrain in a nose low attitude collapsing the nose gear prior to coming to a stop. The pilot reported, "... the grass preceding the threshold had not been cut and was long enough to hide a 15-18" sloped embankment at the end of the runway. The taller grass preceding the end of the runway evidently gave me the impression the runway was lower causing me to come in on too low of an approach and strike top 3" of embankment." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7331Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7331Q), registered now, S/N 18260971, built 1972 (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: 18260971 - Airframe hours: 3030 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy K. Kelly - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1997, 3 hours before - Airport: Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 572 total, 396 in this make and model, 542 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 19970922039369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970922039369A), Sep 22, 1997: Cessna 182P, Dassel, MN, Substantial damage. Crash landed short of private strip. (-23) local area flight originated with south departure from private strip. While landing, robertson stol equipped CE-182… 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.