# NTSB LAX08CA260: Cessna 182D, N800RJ, Gerlach, NV, August 6, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2008, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Gerlach, NV
- Coordinates: 40.651943, -119.355003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6519&lon=-119.3550&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA260

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during takeoff initial climb.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072710), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on a road in order to visit a ranch. After walking over to the ranch, he found that he had landed at the wrong location. He walked back to the airplane, performed a preflight inspection, and proceeded to takeoff from the road. During the takeoff initial climb, he felt the airplane sinking. The left main landing gear wheel struck a fence, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Both wings sustained structural damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on a road in order to visit a ranch. After walking over to the ranch, he found that he had landed at the wrong location. He walked back to the airplane, performed a preflight inspection, and proceeded to takeoff from the road. During the takeoff initial climb, he felt the airplane sinking. The left main landing gear wheel struck a fence, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Both wings sustained structural damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N800RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N800RJ-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 18253059, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182D
- Registry model: [Cessna 182D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182d) (registry code 2072710) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253059
- Engines: Continental O-470 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, Gerlach, NV
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 440 total, 88 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20080806843739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080806843739A), Aug 6, 2008: Cessna 182D, Gerlach, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on a road in order to visit a ranch. After walking over to the ranch, he found the he had landed at the…

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.

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