# NTSB DFW07LA179: Cessna 182, N5518B, Lexington, TX, July 8, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 2007, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Lexington, TX - Coordinates: 30.4125, -96.966667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4125&lon=-96.9667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66388 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66388/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to takeoff from the unsuitable runway. Contributing to this accident was the soft terrain in the overrun area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis Following three days of rain, the pilot attempted a soft field takeoff from a turf runway. The pilot reported that as the airplane was "sliding" down the runway he observed something on the windscreen that resembled oil, followed by a decrease in engine oil pressure. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and the airplane exited the runway into tall grass before it nosed-over and came to a rest in an inverted position. An Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (A&P) examined the airplane. The examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies with the airplanes flight controls or engine. The mechanic stated that the residue on the windshield appeared to be mud. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 2007, about 0930 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna 182 airplane, N5518B, was substantially damaged following an aborted takeoff from the Lexington Airfield (TE75), near Lexington, Texas. The commercial pilot and the two skydiving passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Austin Skydiving, Inc., of Lexington, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial drop flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The accident was reported by local law enforcement personnel on July 24, 2007. According to the pilot, age 22, following three days of rain, he attempted a soft field takeoff from runway 17 (a 3,300-foot long by 150-foot wide turf runway). The pilot reported that as the airplane was "sliding" down the runway he observed something on the windscreen that resembled oil, followed by a decrease in engine oil pressure. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and reduced the engine's power to idle. With the end of the runway approaching, the pilot applied the airplane's brakes and full-up elevator in an attempt to keep the nose landing gear out of the soft soil. The airplane exited the runway into tall grass before it nosed-over and came to a rest in an inverted position. The pilot and passengers were able to exit the airplane unassisted. The pilot reported that the airplane's engine firewall, right wing strut, both wings and the vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage during the mishap. An Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (A&P) examined the airplane. The mechanic reported that the examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane's flight controls or engine. The mechanic further stated that the residue on the windshield appeared to be mud. At 0925, an automated weather observation facility located approximately 12 nautical miles from the accident site reported winds from 200 degrees at 7 knots, 8 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, temperature 77 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.00 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5518B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5518B-2008-04-30), registration cancelled 2008-04-30, S/N 33518, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 - Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 33518 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Skydiving, Part 91 - Registered owner: Austin Skydiving Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TE75, Lexington, TX - Airport: TE75, Lexington Airfield, runway 17, 3,300 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 660 total, 125 in this make and model, 530 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RWV, 12 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 20070708017729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070708017729A), Jul 8, 2007: Cessna 182, Lexington, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported he aborted takeoff at 65 knots due to seeing what he thought was oil on the windshield. He was approximately 300 feet from the end of the… ## Other investigations on N5518B (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA73DKJ64](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73DKJ64), May 11, 1973: Cessna 182 (N5518B), Birmingham, AL, substantial damage 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.