# NTSB LAX01LA031: Cessna 182S, N7279B, French Valley, CA, October 29, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 2000, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: French Valley, CA - Location: 33.5742° N, 117.1285° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FRENCH VALLEY (F70), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5742&lon=-117.1285&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50579 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50579/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow procedures and directives contained in the information manual. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor examiner/passenger's inattention to the sequence of events. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inattentive, check pilot (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was to practice short field takeoff procedures for use during trips to Mexico. A flight instructor/examiner was with him as a passenger. They departed on runway 18, following the FAA approved information manual procedure for short field takeoffs. The first takeoff was a rolling start using 20 degrees of flaps, full power, and the yoke all the way back. After liftoff, the instructor/examiner suggested that he level off and land on the remaining runway, which they did. The second takeoff was from a full stop at the beginning of the runway. The pilot said he powered up the engine with the flaps set at 20 degrees and the control yoke full back, and he released the brakes. At rotation the tail tie down ring and tail cone contacted the runway and the airplane pitched up so steeply that he gave control to the instructor/examiner. He stated that the instructor yelled, 'I don't have control.' The airplane rolled off onto the right wing hitting the runway then quartered forward onto the left wing and nose just off of the runway. The Cessna 182S information manual for short field takeoff calls for wing flaps 20 degrees, brakes applied, full power and 2,400 rpm, lean mixture to obtain maximum power fuel flow placard value, release brakes, and elevator control to maintain 'slightly tail low attitude.' Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the flaps were in the up position at the time of ground impact. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 29, 2000, about 1300 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182S, N7279B, operated by the private pilot/owner, was substantially damaged during takeoff at French Valley, California. Neither the owner/pilot nor the flight instructor/examiner pilot was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1245 as a local training/proficiency flight. The pilot stated that he was to practice short field takeoff procedures for use during trips to Mexico. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified flight instructor/examiner was with him. They departed on runway 18, following the FAA approved information manual procedure for short field takeoffs. The first takeoff was a rolling start using 20 degrees of flaps, full power, and the yoke all the way back. After liftoff, the instructor/examiner suggested that he level off and land on the remaining runway, which they did. The second takeoff was from a full stop at the beginning of the runway. The pilot said he powered up the engine, and with the flaps set at 20 degrees and the control yoke full back, he released the brakes. At rotation he said the tail tie down ring and tail cone contacted the runway and the airplane pitched up so steeply that he gave control to the instructor/examiner. He stated that the instructor yelled, "I don't have control." The airplane rolled off onto the right wing, and then quartered forward onto the left wing and nose. During the postaccident examination of the airplane the elevator trim tab actuator was measured to have 1.25 inches of shaft extension. According to Cessna engineering information, 1.27 inches is considered to be the zero or neutral position. According to the Cessna 182S Information Manual, Section 4 Normal Procedures: SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF 1) Wing Flaps-20 degrees. 2) Brakes-APPLY. 3) Power-FULL THROTTLE and 2400 RPM. 4) Mixture-Lean to obtain Maximum Power Fuel Flow placard value. 5) Brakes-RELEASE. 6) Elevator Control-MAINTAIN SLIGHTLY TAIL LOW ATTITUDE. 7) Climb Speed-58 KIAS (until all obstacles are cleared). 8) Wing Flaps-RETRACT slowly after reaching 70 KIAS. In his written report, the pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions. The instructor/examiner failed to return a written report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7279B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7279B), registered now, S/N 18280542 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182S - Registry model: [Cessna 182S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182s) (registry code 2072701) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18280542 - Airframe hours: 395 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward M. Picozzi - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 2000, 360 hours before - Departed: F70 - Airport: F70, French Valley, runway 18, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 478 total, 22 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: F70 ## 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 20001029026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001029026419A), Oct 29, 2000: Cessna 182S, Rancho Calif, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was attempting his second practice take-off from the runway at the French Valley Airport when he lost control of the a/c and crashed. During… 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.