# NTSB DEN85LA136: Cessna 182, N5180D, Plankinton, SD, May 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 12:36 local (18:36 UTC)
- Place: Plankinton, SD
- Coordinates: 44.570819, -96.639686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5708&lon=-96.6397&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA136

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - object - fence
- Nose over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER AFTER A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS USING GRAVEL ROAD FOR TAKEOFF AND ROTATED PREMATURELY TO AVOID GRAVEL DAMAGE. THE ACFT DRIFTED INTO TALL GRASS AND WAS THEN PULLED INTO A DITCH AND FENCE POSTS BEFORE NOSING OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5180D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51280
- Airframe hours: 2475
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Somers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1984, 25 hours before
- Destination: MML, MARSHALL, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 258 total, 153 in this make and model, 221 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850519018099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519018099A), May 19, 1985: Cessna 182A, Plankinton, SD, Substantial damage. Drifted after early lift off on gravel road. Gear caught in high grass, wing struck fence post, nosed over.

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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