- Date
- July 6, 1999, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place
- Conner, MT
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N759MZCessna 182Q
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 30, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990706008409A
- Case key
- 46794
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 NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
The pilot's attempt to take off on an unsuitable runway surface due to standing water on the runway. Factors include standing water on the airstrip.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he taxied through what appeared to be a thin layer of standing water from a leaky irrigation ditch on the grass airstrip. He attempted a soft-field takeoff, using full power on the takeoff roll on 200-300 feet of dry ground before reaching the water on the airstrip's surface. Water 'laying at an angle' caught the left main gear and turned the airplane to the left, 'sending it into a hydroplane.' He aborted the takeoff, pulling the power back. The airplane struck a fence with the wing, causing it to swing around and come to a rest nose down in a ditch.
Factual narrative
On July 6, 1999, approximately 0630 mountain daylight time, N759MZ, a Cessna 182Q, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff at Trapper Creek airstrip, Conner, Montana. The private pilot on board was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the ELT actuated. No flight plan was filed for the flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There was no fire.
The pilot stated that he taxied through what appeared to be a thin layer of standing water on the grass strip. He noted that the water was from a leaky irrigation ditch. In his written report, he stated that he set up for a soft-field takeoff, using full power on the takeoff roll on 200-300 feet of dry ground before reaching the water on the airstrip's surface. Water "laying at an angle" caught the left main gear and turned the airplane to the left, "sending it into a hydroplane." He aborted the takeoff, pulling the power back. The airplane struck a fence with the wing, causing it to swing around and come to a rest nose down in a ditch.
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.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N759MZ
- Reported as
- Cessna 182Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Engine
- Continental O-470U, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- David Nicely
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 26, 1999 · 13 hours before
- Airport
- Trapper Creek
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
- 43
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,130 total · 1,090 in this make and model · 1,090 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.