# NTSB DEN90LA130: Cessna 182N, N8961G, Condon, MT, June 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1990, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Condon, MT
- Coordinates: 47.429382, -113.699417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4294&lon=-113.6994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA130

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## 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
  - rotation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT, WITH 3 PAX ABOARD, ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM RWY 13 (3,035 FT X 200 FT, TURF) AT THE CONDON, MT, USFS AIRSTRIP (ELEVATION 3,686 FT MSL). WINDS WERE APRX 1-5 MPH. THE PLT SELECTED 20 DEG OF FLAPS AND USED A SHORT/SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURE. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF BRIEFLY BUT SETTLED BACK TO THE GROUND. THE PLT DID NOT FEEL HE COULD ABORT TAKEOFF BECAUSE THERE WERE TRUCKS, TRAILERS, MULES, AND PEOPLE AT THE END OF THE RWY. HE THOUGHT HE ENCOUNTERED A SUDDEN DOWNDRAFT. THE ACFT YAWED TO THE LEFT AND CLEARED THE PARKED VEHICLES BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR THE TREES. THE PLT CUT THE PWR AND TRIED TO SLOW THE ACFT BEFORE IMPACT. PERFORMANCE CALCULATIONS INDICATE ACFT NEEDED 1,240 FT OF RWY FOR ITS GROUND RUN AND 2,084 FT TO CLEAR A 50-FT OBSTACLE. PLT SAID AIRSTRIP IS KNOWN FOR WIND SHEAR ABOVE TREE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8961G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8961G-1992-12-28), registration cancelled 1992-12-28, S/N 18260501 (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: 18260501
- Airframe hours: 5396
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Minuteman Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Minuteman Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 5, 1990, 3 hours before
- Departed: S04
- Airport: S04, Condon Usfs, runway 13, 3,035 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 30 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19900609019619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900609019619A), Jun 9, 1990: Cessna 182N, Condon, MT, Substantial damage. Unable to climb on takeoff,mushed into ground and trees at end of strip. Density altitude and full load factors.

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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