# NTSB DEN83LA113: Cessna 182Q, N759LW, Townsend, MT, May 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1983, 18:30 local (May 15, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Townsend, MT
- Coordinates: 46.479541, -111.340927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4795&lon=-111.3409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA113

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER IN A PLOWED FIELD OFF THE END OF THE RWY DURING AN ATTEMPTED ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED ONE ARPT AND LANDED AGAIN AT A PRIVATE STRIP TO ONLOAD A PASSENGER CLOTHES BAG. THE LANDING WAS UPHILL INTO THE WIND. THERE WAS NO WINDSOCK AT THIS STRIP. THE PILOT DEBATED WHILE WAITING WHETHER TO TAKEOFF DOWNHILL OR TO TAKEOFF UPHILL. THE WIND SEEMED TO DIE SO A DOWNHILL TAKEOFF WAS CHOSEN. THE WIND VELOCITY ROSE AS THE TAKEOFF PROGRESSED. THE PILOT SAID HIS A/S WAS ONLY 40 MPH AT 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY. WHEN THERE WAS ONLY 100-150 OF RWY LEFT HE DECIDED TO ABORT. THE ACFT WENT INTO THE PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT DIRT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759LW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759LW), registered now, S/N 18266088, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266088
- Airframe hours: 614
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gallatin Embryonics P.C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 1, 1982
- Departed: BZN, BOZEMAN, MT
- Destination: BTL, BILLINGS, MT
- Airport: Pvt Airstrip, runway 36, 2,500 ×  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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 161 total, 59 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830514022949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830514022949A), May 14, 1983: Cessna 182Q, Townsend, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot aborted downhill downwind takeoff and aircraft flipped inverted in soft turf off end of runway.

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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