# NTSB GAA16CA298: Cessna 182, N1403S, Stanley, ID, June 9, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 9, 2016, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Stanley, ID - Coordinates: 44.414722, -115.319168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4147&lon=-115.3192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93355 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93355/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93355 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA298 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain an adequate climb gradient, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 49 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 528 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 1,428 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, accompanied by a flight instructor, was conducting mountainous backcountry familiarization training. The flight instructor reported that they had taxied about 1,000 feet down the runway because the field was wet. During takeoff at a high altitude (6,370 feet elevation) backcountry airstrip, the pilot reported that the airplane became airborne near the end of the runway. During the initial climb, the flight instructor reported that the pilot pulled back on the yoke abruptly, which caused the nose of the airplane to pitch up and obstruct their forward view. The flight instructor further reported that he told the pilot to lower the nose of the airplane to build up airspeed and allow for a visual reference. As the pilot lowered the nose, the left wing of the airplane impacted a tree. The flight instructor reported that he and the pilot assessed the damage and controllability of the airplane, and decided to continue their flight since they did not want to do any more maneuvering than was necessary and they were already headed towards their destination airport. During cruise flight, the flight instructor noticed some "pulling" to the left and some visual damage to the left wing. The flight instructor further reported that they landed at their destination airport uneventfully. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident mechanical inspection by the pilot's mechanic revealed a 20/80 compression on the No. 3 cylinder. A representative from the engine manufacturer stated that there would have been negligible power loss due to the low compression and that the postaccident compression test would be invalid because the test was conducted on a cold engine. Included in the public docket for this report is a copy of the service bulletin from Continental on the procedures for conducting a differential pressure test and borescope inspection procedures for cylinders. ## Factual narrative The pilot, accompanied by a flight instructor, was conducting mountainous backcountry familiarization training. The flight instructor reported that they had taxied about 1,000 feet down the runway because the field was wet. During takeoff at a high altitude (6,370 feet elevation) backcountry airstrip, the pilot reported that the airplane became airborne near the end of the runway. During the initial climb, the flight instructor reported that the pilot pulled back on the yoke abruptly, which caused the nose of the airplane to pitch up and obstruct their forward view. The flight instructor further reported that he told the pilot to lower the nose of the airplane to build up airspeed and allow for a visual reference. As the pilot lowered the nose, the left wing of the airplane impacted a tree. The flight instructor reported that he and the pilot assessed the damage and controllability of the airplane, and decided to continue their flight since they did not want to do any more maneuvering than was necessary and they were already headed towards their destination airport. During cruise flight, the flight instructor noticed some "pulling" to the left and some visual damage to the left wing. The flight instructor further reported that they landed at their destination airport uneventfully. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident mechanical inspection by the pilot's mechanic revealed a 20/80 compression on the No. 3 cylinder. A representative from the engine manufacturer stated that there would have been negligible power loss due to the low compression and that the postaccident compression test would be invalid because the test was conducted on a cold engine. Included in the public docket for this report is a copy of the service bulletin from Continental on the procedures for conducting a differential pressure test and borescope inspection procedures for cylinders. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1403S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1403S), registered now, S/N 18264963, built 1976 (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: 18264963 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3801 - Engines: Continental O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2016, 66 hours before - Departed: U63, Stanley, ID - Destination: MYL, MC CALL, ID - Airport: U63, Bruce Meadows, runway 05, 5,000 × 110 ft, gravel - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review February 11, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,089 total, 1,932 in this make and model, 2,047 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 71; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,830 total, 260 in this make and model, 9,210 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KSNT, 22 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 20160609006739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160609006739A), Jun 9, 2016: Cessna 182P, Stanley, ID, Substantial damage. The pilot in command was participating in the mccall mountain canyon flying seminar (mccall Idaho) at the time of the accident. The other person onboard the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93355. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 881 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Instructor's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Instructor%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 360 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Telephone Interview, Mechanic (item 4, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Telephone and Email, Manufacturer (item 5, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20and%20Email,%20Manufacturer-Master.PDF - Continental Compression Test Service Bulletin (item 6, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Continental%20Compression%20Test%20Service%20Bulletin-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.