GAA18CA246

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 182 · Page, AZ · April 29, 2018

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
April 29, 2018, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
Place
Page, AZ
Injuries
4 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N7553NCessna 182
Defining event
Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 10, 2018
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20180429004319A
Case key
97153

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a rejected takeoff in gusting quarting tailwind conditions.

Findings · 6

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 182P: 16 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotCessna 182P: 48 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Wind: tailwindEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationCessna 182P: 4 casesAll aircraft: 594 cases
Wind: gustsEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationCessna 182P: 10 casesAll aircraft: 1,199 cases
Aircraft capability: climb capabilityAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 182P: 3 casesAll aircraft: 183 cases
Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitudeEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationCessna 182P: 4 casesAll aircraft: 278 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the airplane experienced a "loss of lift." He added that he rejected the takeoff, and while landing back on the runway, the airplane bounced and veered left. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in a shallow ditch. The pilot reported that the maximum gross weight of the airplane was 3,100 pounds and that the weight at the time of the accident was 3,055 pounds. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, cloud condition clear, temperature 26°C (79°F), dew point -16°C (3°F), altimeter setting 29.71 inches of mercury. The airplane was departing runway 15. The estimated density altitude was 6,816 ft.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the airplane experienced a "loss of lift". He added that he rejected the takeoff, and while landing back on the runway, the airplane bounced and veered left. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in a shallow ditch. The pilot reported that the maximum gross weight of the airplane was 3,100 pounds and the weight at the time of the accident was 3,055 pounds. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, cloud condition clear, temperature 26°C (79°F), dew point -16°C (3°F), altimeter setting 29.71" Hg. The airplane was departing runway 15. The estimated density altitude was 6,816 ft.

Aircraft

Registration
N7553N
Reported as
Cessna 182 (P)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
18263243
Built
1974
Airframe hours
6,011.05
Engine
Cont Motor O-470-R, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · July 22, 2017
Departed
PGA · Page, AZ
Destination
AVQ · Marana, AZ
Flight plan
VFR
Airport
PGA · Page Muni, runway 15, 5,950 × 150 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
61
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
September 29, 2016
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
211 total · 96 in this make and model · 211 as pilot in command · 21 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
250° at 10 knots, gusting 19
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
79 °F, dew point 3 °F
Altimeter
29.70 inHg
Observed at
KPGA

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 12, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.9 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.