# NTSB DEN04LA052: Cessna 182P, N400DH, Monticello, UT, March 15, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 2004, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, UT
- Coordinates: 37.885276, -110.068885
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8853&lon=-110.0689&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA052

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. Contributing factors include the sudden windshift and the bushes.

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot noted the winds were variable from 7 to 10 knots with gusts to 15 generally from the east and elected to depart to the east. The ground roll was slow due to the soft dirt. Approximately two thirds down the runway, the airplane struck a hump on the runway and became airborne. The pilot lowered the nose slightly to gain airspeed. At the end of the runway, "the wind shifted from a headwind to a tailwind" and the airplane settled into the juniper bushes at the departure end of the runway and nosed over, substantially damaging the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On March 15, 2004, at approximately 1030 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182P, N400DH, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during departure from Dark Canyon Middle Point, a dirt airstrip 35 nautical miles west of Monticello, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the cross-country flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Moab, Utah, at approximately 0800.

According to the pilot, he departed Moab, Utah at 0800 and had landed at Hite and Brown's Rim, before proceeding to Dark Canyon. He reported "7-10 knot [winds] generally out of the east." The landing at Dark Canyon was uneventful and after parking the airplane, he noted that runway surface was rough with "clump grass" and the dirt was soft. At 1028, the pilot noted the "winds [were] variable from 7 to 10 knots with gusts to 15 generally from the east" and elected to depart to the east. The ground roll was slow due to the soft dirt. Approximately two thirds down the runway, the airplane struck a "hump" and became airborne. The pilot lowered the nose slightly to gain airspeed. At the end of the runway, "the wind shifted from a headwind to a tailwind" and the airplane settled into the juniper bushes at the departure end of the runway and nosed over. Both wing spars were bent, the windscreen fragmented, and the nose wheel strut was bent aft, crushing the bottom of the fuselage. An examination of the systems revealed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400DH-2007-11-19), registration cancelled 2007-11-19, S/N 18263990, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182P
- 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: 18263990
- Airframe hours: 6579
- Engines: Continental O-470-S2B 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 2003, 100 hours before
- Departed: CNY, Moab, UT
- Destination: CNY, Moab, UT
- Airport: Dark Canyon Middle Point, runway 09, 2,631 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 26, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 3,032 total, 2,600 in this make and model, 2,836 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observed at: CNY, 55 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 20040315004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040315004079A), Mar 15, 2004: Cessna 182P, Monticello, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) While attempting to land airplane hit ground short of runway. Block 18;20;29;31;32;42;43 are incomplete and an amended report will be filed. (-23…

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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