# NTSB LAX97LA139: Cessna 182F, N3652U, Mokuleia, HI, April 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 1, 1997, 12:12 local (22:12 UTC) - Place: Mokuleia, HI - Coordinates: 21.569553, -158.119232 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5696&lon=-158.1192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 5 minor - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29757/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA139 ## Probable cause An unintentional stall for undetermined reasons. ## 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 - flight control,elevator - jammed - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before takeoff with the four parachutists, he had checked the flight controls and no evidence of any mechanical problems was noted. During the takeoff roll the airplane accelerated between 60 and 65 mph, became airborne and pitched 60 degrees nose up. The pilot further reported that he applied forward pressure on the control yoke, but there was no response. The airplane banked right, stalled, descended, and collided with trees. The pilot further reported that he notified the Unicom operator he was 'coming back around.' However, the control yoke was still 'frozen in position' and could not be moved forward or aft. The airplane's pitch could not be controlled, and the airplane descended into the water and sank. The main wreckage was not recovered. The pilot's report of a jammed yoke could not be verified due to the lack of physical evidence. ## Factual narrative On April 1, 1997, at 1212 hours Hawaiian standard time, a Cessna 182F, N3652U, operated by the Skydive Academy of Hawaii Corporation, experienced an in-flight loss of control during takeoff from runway 26 at the Dillingham Airfield, Mokuleia, Hawaii. Witnesses reported observing the airplane lift off and immediately thereafter commence climbing at a steep angle. Within several hundred feet above ground level, one wing suddenly lowered and the airplane rapidly lost altitude. The airplane collided with trees, impacted the Mokuleia Beach Park surf, and was destroyed upon sinking in 15-feet-deep water near the shoreline. The commercial pilot and four passengers, which were being transported for a planned parachute jump, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In brief, the pilot reported in his completed Aircraft Accident Report that before takeoff he had checked the flight controls, and no evidence of any mechanical problems was noted. During the takeoff roll the airplane accelerated between 60 and 65 mph. The airplane became airborne and pitched 60 degrees nose up. Forward pressure was applied on the control yoke, but there was no response. The airplane banked right and stalled, and the nose lowered. Thereafter, the airplane collided with trees which shattered the windshield, and an oil leak developed. The pilot further reported that he notified the Unicom operator he was "coming back around." However, the control yoke was still "frozen in position" and could not be moved forward or aft. The airplane's pitch could not be controlled, and the airplane descended into the water. Interviews were conducted with the passengers and ground-based witnesses. No information was found to indicate that the pilot had planned to make a short field takeoff or had intentionally climbed at a steep angle. The Federal Aviation Administration's Safety Data Analysis Section in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, searched its data base of Service Difficulty Reports (SDRs) for elevator control binding events involving Cessna 182 series airplanes. None was found during the search period between 1990 and April, 1997. The airplane's main wreckage was not recovered. The pilot's report of a jammed yoke was not verified with physical evidence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3652U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3652U-1999-06-11), registration cancelled 1999-06-11, S/N 18255052 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182F - Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255052 - Airframe hours: 5975 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skydive Academy Of Hawaii Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1996, 70 hours before - Departed: HDH - Airport: HDH, Dillingham, runway 8, 9,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,700 total, 400 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F ## 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 19970401004069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970401004069A), Apr 1, 1997: Cessna 182F, Mokuleia, HI, Destroyed. Pitched nose up on takeoff. Stalled descended into ocean surf. Sank. Pilot reported elevators jammed. Not verified. ## Other investigations on N3652U (1) 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. - [NTSB UNK64X0260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0260), Jan 16, 1964: Cessna 182 (N3652U), Pryor, OK, substantial damage 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.