- Date
- October 24, 1993, 15:36 local (19:36 UTC)
- Place
- Griswold, CT
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N2111WCessna 182H
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 26, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19931024040509A
- Case key
- 38709
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff, and the subsequent loss of control and collision with trees. A factor related to the accident were the adverse winds.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported, 'I attempted to takeoff. Once airborne, a very strong crosswind took over and the engine didn't seem to have its usual power.' The pilot tried to counteract the wind, but the airplane drifted off the centerline and impacted trees on the left side of the runway. Witnesses reported there was a strong crosswind at the time of the accident. The investigation did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.
Factual narrative
On Sunday, October 24, 1993, at 1536 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182H, N2111W, registered to and piloted by Frederick A. Ware, Jr., was destroyed while attempting a takeoff from the Lakeside Airport, Griswold, Connecticut. The pilot and pilot/passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.
Witnesses observed the airplane take off on runway 11. After becoming airborne, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline and collided with trees. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and was destroyed by fire.
The witnesses said that at the time of the accident there was a strong crosswind and gusty wind conditions at the airport.
In his report, the pilot stated:
...I performed a pre-flight inspection and engine run-up as usual. Although the wind had changed direction, it now appeared to be going down the runway with less velocity than when we landed. I attempted a take off.
Once airborne, a very strong crosswind took over and the engine didn't seem to have its usual power...While I fought to counteract the efforts of the wind and keep the wings level, the wind turned out to be just too strong and the plane hit a tree on the side of the runway.
There was no wind information recorded at the airport. The nearest official wind was reported at Groton, Connecticut, located 16 miles from the accident. These winds were reported as: 230 degrees at 15 knots.
Mr. Burt Lappe, Air Safety Inspector (Airworthiness) for the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted an examination of the engine. He stated that impact and fire damage prevented running the engine, but he was able to check the magnetos for spark; observe rotation of the engine drive train from the propeller to the accessory section; and confirm compression in each cylinder. No discrepancies were noted in his examination.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2111W
- Reported as
- Cessna 182H
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18256559
- Airframe hours
- 2,036
- Engine
- Continental O-470-R, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Frederick A. Ware, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 15, 1993 · 16 hours before
- Destination
- 6B6 · Stow, MA
- Airport
- 5B4 · Lakeside, runway 11, 2,520 × 50 ft, asphalt
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
- 54
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 245 total · 93 in this make and model · 170 as pilot in command · 12 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 61 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- GON, 16 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.