# NTSB GAA16CA271: Cessna 182, N21242, Elk River, ID, June 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 1, 2016, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Elk River, ID - Coordinates: 46.791389, -116.175834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7914&lon=-116.1758&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93292 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93292/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93292 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA271 ## Probable cause The pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during takeoff which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff with a tailwind, about 20-30 feet above the ground, the airplane aerodynamically stalled then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004). This handbook discusses stalls and states in part: The key to stall awareness is the pilot's ability to visualize the wing's angle of attack in any particular circumstance, and thereby be able to estimate his/her margin of safety above stall. This is a learned skill that must be acquired early in flight training and carried through the pilot's entire flying career. The pilot must understand and appreciate factors such as airspeed, pitch attitude, load factor, relative wind, power setting, and aircraft configuration in order to develop a reasonably accurate mental picture of the wing's angle of attack at any particular time. It is essential to flight safety that a pilot takes into consideration this visualization of the wing's angle of attack prior to entering any flight maneuver. Stall accidents usually result from an inadvertent stall at a low altitude in which a recovery was not accomplished prior to contact with the surface. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff with a tailwind, about 20-30 feet above the ground, the airplane aerodynamically stalled then impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004). This handbook discusses stalls and states in part: The key to stall awareness is the pilot's ability to visualize the wing's angle of attack in any particular circumstance, and thereby be able to estimate his/her margin of safety above stall. This is a learned skill that must be acquired early in flight training and carried through the pilot's entire flying career. The pilot must understand and appreciate factors such as airspeed, pitch attitude, load factor, relative wind, power setting, and aircraft configuration in order to develop a reasonably accurate mental picture of the wing's angle of attack at any particular time. It is essential to flight safety that a pilot takes into consideration this visualization of the wing's angle of attack prior to entering any flight maneuver. Stall accidents usually result from an inadvertent stall at a low altitude in which a recovery was not accomplished prior to contact with the surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21242](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21242-2017-04-19), registration cancelled 2017-04-19, S/N 18261510, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18261510 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 3372.5 - Engines: Continental O-470-R 230 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2016 - Departed: ID85, Elk River, ID - Destination: 1U1, MOOSE CREEK RANGER STATION, ID - Airport: ID85, Elk River, runway 35, 3,000 × 150 ft, gravel - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 28, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 16,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KPUW, 39 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 20160601008499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160601008499A), Jun 1, 2016: Cessna 182P, Elk River, ID, Substantial damage. PIC elected to perform a soft field take-off from the firm gravel runway at ID85. During the take-off ground roll, pilot noted that the stall horn was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93292. 2.0 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=40443143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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. --- 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.