# NTSB CHI99LA004: Cessna 182N, N92322, Genesee, MI, October 9, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 1998, 06:00 local (10:00 UTC) - Place: Genesee, MI - Coordinates: 43.119949, -83.609901 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1199&lon=-83.6099&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44120 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44120/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA004 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the subsequent failure to attain clearance with the trees during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the trees, dark night conditions, and fog which resulted in the lack of visual detection of the surroundings. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane contacted trees to the right of the runway, and descended to impact with the terrain during the initial takeoff climb. The takeoff was being made on an unlit runway, at night, in foggy conditions. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 1998, at 0600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182N, N92322, operated by a private pilot, collided with trees during an initial takeoff climb from runway 36 (2,200' x 100', sod) at Duford Field, Genesee, Michigan. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The planned destination was Rogers City, Michigan. The pilot reported that after lifting off he heard a "click" and the airplane contacted the top of a tree off the right side of the runway. He stated that this resulted in the airplane turning more to the east into bigger trees. The airplane contacted these trees and came to rest near the end of and about 500 feet east of the runway. The pilot reported to the Michigan State Police that he took off without turning on the runway lights. The police report states, "He believes he lost ground reference due to the darkness and drifted right from the runway. He clipped a tree and struck a second tree. It appears that this tree then split, rotating the aircraft upside down and towards the ground. The aircraft fell on its roof into a heavily wooded area, approximately 150 yards east of the runway. The point of final rest was 200 feet south of the end of runway 36." The officer who responded to the accident site reported "medium fog at the airport." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92322](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92322-2000-05-05), registration cancelled 2000-05-05, S/N 18260150 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182N - Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18260150 - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles Taylor - Registered owner: Yvonne Taylor - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1998 - Departed: 68C - Destination: PZQ, ROGERS CITY, MI - Airport: 68G, Duford ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 4,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 11 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 19981009039549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981009039549A), Oct 9, 1998: Cessna 182N, Iola, WI, Substantial damage. (.19)On October 9, 1998, at 0610 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182N, N92322, operated by a private pilot, collided with trees during an initial takeoff climb… 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.