SEA06LA140

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 182B · Big Creek, ID · July 12, 2006

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
July 12, 2006, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC)
Place
Big Creek, ID
Injuries
3 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N2434GCessna 182B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 28, 2006
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Teledyne (TCM), FAA FSDO, Cessna Aircraft
FAA report
20060712015979A
Case key
64108

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during takeoff and initial climb out.

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.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - roll/run
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with objectTakeoff - initial climb
Object - tree(s)
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff and initial climb the airplane drifted to the right of the runway center line. The pilot stated that rudder inputs were ineffective and the airplane continued to drift to the right, eventually colliding with trees and terrain along the eastern border of the airfield. Pictures of the accident airplane during the takeoff roll showed the aircraft in a left crab, right wing-low attitude just as the aircraft broke ground. A second picture showed the aircraft well right of the takeoff runway at an altitude lower than adjacent treetops. Post accident examination of the wreckage, by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Boise, Idaho, FSDO and Cessna Aircraft revealed no evidence of a pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure.

Factual narrative

On July 12, 2006, approximately 0820 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182B, N2434G, sustained substantial damage subsequent to an in-flight collision with trees during takeoff at the Big Creek Airport, Big Creek, Idaho. The private pilot and both passengers received serious injuries. The airplane was registered to the pilot and was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The pilot's intended destination was Nampa, Idaho.

The pilot reported that during the takeoff and initial climb the airplane drifted to the right of the runway center. The pilot stated that rudder inputs were ineffective and the airplane continued to drift to the right, eventually colliding with trees and terrain along the eastern border of the airfield.

Pictures of the accident airplane during the takeoff roll showed the aircraft in a left crab, right wing-low attitude just as the aircraft broke ground. A second picture showed the aircraft well right of the takeoff runway at an altitude lower than adjacent treetops.

Post accident examination of the wreckage, by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration Boise, Idaho, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and Cessna Aircraft revealed no evidence of a pre impact mechanical malfunction or failure.

Big Creek Airport is located in mountainous terrain adjacent to the Frank Church Wilderness area. The airport elevation is 5,743 feet above sea level, and has a single turf runway (01/19), which is 3,550 feet long and 110 feet wide.

Aircraft

Registration
N2434G
Reported as
Cessna 182B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
51734
Airframe hours
3,055
Engine
Continental O-470, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Part 91
Registered owner
Steve & Tawni Swann
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · March 1, 2006
Departed
U60 · Big Creek, ID
Destination
Big Creek, ID
Airport
U60 · Big Creek, runway 01, 3,550 × 110 ft, grass/turf

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
51
Injuries
Serious
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Seat
Left
Flight hours
562 total · 364 in this make and model · 394 as pilot in command · 23 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
0 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
57 °F, dew point 50 °F
Altimeter
29.96 inHg
Observed at
KMYL, 36 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.