# NTSB ERA14CA082: Cessna 182H, N1833X, Littleton, NC, December 27, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 27, 2013, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Littleton, NC - Coordinates: 36.430831, -77.912498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4308&lon=-77.9125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 4, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88609 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88609/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88609 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross-country flight, the engine sputtered twice and the pilot performed an uneventful precautionary landing, in a field about 20 miles away from his intended destination. The pilot then secured ground transportation and obtained more fuel for the airplane. During the subsequent takeoff from the "L-shaped" field, the airplane drifted right and struck a culvert on the right boundary of the field. The pilot continued the takeoff and landed at his intended destination. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the nosegear, lower fuselage, and firewall. The pilot also reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative During a cross-country flight, the engine sputtered twice and the pilot performed an uneventful precautionary landing, in a field about 20 miles away from his intended destination. The pilot then secured ground transportation and obtained more fuel for the airplane. During the subsequent takeoff from the "L-shaped" field, the airplane drifted right and struck a culvert on the right boundary of the field. The pilot continued the takeoff and landed at his intended destination. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the nosegear, lower fuselage, and firewall. The pilot also reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1833X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1833X), registered now, S/N 18255933, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255933 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 5282 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Smith Donald G - Registered owner: Smith Donald G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 2013, 10 hours before - Departed: Littleton, NC - Destination: LHZ, Louisburg, NC - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,025 total, 451 in this make and model, 1,025 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: LHZ, 20 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 20131227024659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131227024659A), Dec 27, 2013: Cessna 182H, Littleton, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot departed field and struck a concrete cover for a water well and separated the nose gear off the aircraft. Pilot continued to triangle north executive… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88609. 956 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 702 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Lower Fuselage And Firewall Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408224&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Lower%20Fuselage%20And%20Firewall%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.