# NTSB GAA15CA278: Cessna 182A, N6361B, Ama, LA, September 25, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 25, 2015, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Ama, LA
- Coordinates: 29.951944, -90.286109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9519&lon=-90.2861&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92071/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92071
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA278

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff on a partially obstructed runway, which resulted in a collision with trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Wildlife encounter (non-bird)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 107 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/310/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072704), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, while taxiing onto the runway of his private airstrip, he noticed that there were dogs on the runway. The pilot decided to position his airplane on the left side of the runway in order to accommodate the canines during his takeoff roll. The pilot reported that shortly after rotation, the airplane's left wing tip struck a tree. The pilot stated that the forces from impact, spun the airplane 90 degrees to the left, into the tree line where the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies existed that would have prevented normal flight operations.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, while taxiing onto the runway of his private airstrip, he noticed that there were dogs on the runway. The pilot decided to position his airplane on the left side of the runway in order to accommodate the canines during his takeoff roll. The pilot reported that shortly after rotation, the airplane's left wing tip struck a tree. The pilot stated that the forces from impact, spun the airplane 90 degrees to the left, into the tree line where the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies existed that would have prevented normal flight operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6361B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6361B-2016-03-02), registration cancelled 2016-03-02, S/N 34261, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A (A)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34261
- Year built: 1957
- Airframe hours: 4597.5
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chris J. Petit
- Registered owner: Chris J. Petit
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 2015
- Departed: PVT, Ama, LA
- Destination: PVT, Ama, LA
- Airport: PVT, Na, runway 16, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,020 total, 400 in this make and model, 990 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: MSY, 3 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 20150925017569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150925017569A), Sep 25, 2015: Cessna 182A, Ama, LA, Substantial damage. Investigation revealed no mechanical irregularities and the aircraft appeared to have an annual inspection on the airframe, engine and propeller within the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92071. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 639 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%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.

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