# NTSB GAA18CA173: Cessna 182, N3024Y, Rapid City, SD, March 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 20, 2018, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Rapid City, SD - Coordinates: 43.973888, -102.90361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9739&lon=-102.9036&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96904/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96904 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA173 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion. ## 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 182E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [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 182E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072712), [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 182E, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/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 182E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 182E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072712), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while departing from a short snow-covered airstrip, the airplane's nose wheel lifted off upon arriving at the "go/no go" decision point. He added that, about 30 ft. further the airplane encountered deeper snow and the nose landing gear lowered to the ground. Subsequently, he reduced the throttle and aborted the takeoff. The airplane exited the airstrip to the left, the right wing encountered terrain, and the airplane spun 180° and came to rest in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while departing from a short snow-covered airstrip, the airplane's nose wheel lifted off upon arriving at the "go/no go" decision point. He added that, about 30 ft. further the airplane encountered deeper snow and the nose landing gear lowered to the ground. Subsequently, he reduced the throttle and aborted the takeoff. The airplane exited the airstrip to the left, the right wing encountered terrain, and the airplane spun 180° and came to rest in a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3024Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3024Y), registered now, S/N 18254024, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254024 - Year built: 1962 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2017 - Departed: Rapid City, SD - Destination: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,920 total, 306 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KRAP, 8 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 20180320009859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180320009859A), Mar 20, 2018: Cessna 182E, Caputa, SD, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff on unimproved private runway that was covered with 4-6 inches of snow. During the takeoff roll the aircraft was allowed to leave the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96904. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 836 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463234&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463236&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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.