# NTSB LAX86LA330: Cessna 182U, N5299N, Tuba City, AZ, August 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1986, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tuba City, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.090457, -111.13079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0905&lon=-111.1308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA330

## 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
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK AFTER LOSING ALT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A DIRT ROAD. THE PLT INDICATED THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER AN APRX 800 FT GROUND RUN AND CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF 10 FT AGL. THE ACFT THEN ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND AND SETTLED 6 FT. THE ACFT STRUCK A 4 FT DIRT BANK LOCATED AT A BEND IN THE ROAD SHEARING OFF THE NOSE GEAR. THE ACFT THEN LANDED IN SOFT SAND AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT'S ACCIDENT REPORT INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH 88 GLLONS OF FUEL AND THREE PERSONS ON DEPARTURE FROM THE DIRT ROAD, AND THAT THE TEMP WAS APRX 75 DEGREES F (24 DEGREES C) AT THE 5,500 FT ELEVATION. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATORS MANUAL, FOR A GROSS WEIGHT OF 2,700 LBS, A TEMP OF 20 DEGREES C AND A PRESSURE ALT OF 5,000 FT, A MINIMUM GROUND ROLL DISTANCE OF 930 FT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ACCOMPLISH A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5299N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182U
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182-67631
- Airframe hours: 2219
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pedrick, Lee D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1986, 111 hours before
- Departed: TUBA CITY, AZ
- Destination: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 731 total, 731 in this make and model, 731 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 57 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 19860823042479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860823042479A), Aug 23, 1986: Cessna 182Q, Tuba City, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck a dirt bank shortly after liftoff from a dirt road. The pilot failed to calculate takeoff roll.

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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