# NTSB SEA02LA006: Cessna 182P, N20877, Sulfur Creek, ID, October 13, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2001, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sulfur Creek, ID - Coordinates: 44.590385, -115.570968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5904&lon=-115.5710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Boise FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff. Factors include the pilot's excessive rotation attitude, and soft/wet terrain conditions. ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the pilot over-rotated, causing the aircraft's tail cone to strike the runway surface. He then maintained this excessive pitch attitude as the aircraft continued to roll down the runway. The pilot eventually became convinced that he would not be able to ensure a safe takeoff if he continued. He therefore aborted the takeoff. During the abort, he allowed the aircraft to drift to the side of the runway, where one of the main gear encountered soft terrain. After encountering the soft terrain, the aircraft veered off the side of the runway surface, where the nose wheel encountered soft/wet terrain conditions. Soon thereafter, the nose wheel sank into the terrain and the aircraft nosed over. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2001, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N20877, nosed over during an aborted takeoff from Sulfur Creek Airstrip, Sulfur Creek Ranch, Idaho. The pilot and his three passengers where not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by AvCenter Inc., of Pocatello, Idaho, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight was departing Sulfur Creek in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, he over-rotated, striking the aircraft's tail cone on the runway surface. He then maintained a very nose-high attitude as the aircraft continued down the runway. As the takeoff roll continued, the pilot became convinced that he could not safely make the takeoff, so he then aborted. While he was trying to slow the aircraft after the abort, the pilot inadvertently let it drift to the right side of the sod/gravel runway, where the right main gear encountered soft/wet terrain. This resulted in the aircraft being pulled further to the right and departing the runway surface. After departing the runway, the nose gear sank into the soft terrain, and the aircraft nosed over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Aircraft - Registration: [N20877](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20877), registered now, S/N 18261279, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18261279 - Airframe hours: 4235 - Engines: Continental O-470R 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Avcenter Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2001, 16 hours before - Departed: Sulfur Creek, ID - Destination: S81, Indian Creek, ID - Airport: Sulfur Creek Ranch, runway 08, 3,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 11, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 20 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °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 20011013028459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011013028459A), Oct 13, 2001: Cessna 182P, Sulphurcreek, ID, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he over rotated on take off and the tail of the aircraft struck the ground. He did not get flying speed on the short, soft, wet… 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.