# NTSB WPR09CA131: Cessna TR182, N2518S, Amargosa Valley, NV, February 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 27, 2009, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Amargosa Valley, NV - Coordinates: 36.489444, -116.421386 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4894&lon=-116.4214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73405 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73405/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and runway alignment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane became airborne about 2/3 of the way down the runway during an attempted soft-field takeoff from a dirt runway. He said that he was unable to maintain an adequate airspeed and drifted off to the left side of the runway and impacted bushes and shrubs. During the accident sequence, the front landing gear folded back and the left main landing gear broke off. The outboard half of the right wing was partially separated. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the airplane became airborne about 2/3 of the way down the runway during an attempted soft field takeoff from a dirt runway. He said he was unable to maintain an adequate airspeed and drifted off to the left side of the runway and impacted bushes and shrubs. During the accident sequence, the front landing gear folded back, and the left main landing gear broke off. The outboard half of the right wing was partially separated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2518S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2518S-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N R18201346, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182 - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201346 - Airframe hours: 4279 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2009, 7 hours before - Departed: 70CL, Amargosa Valley, NV - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: 70CL, Amargosa Airport, runway 17, 1,625 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 312 total, 69 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VGT, 80 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090227003889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090227003889A), Feb 27, 2009: Cessna TR182, Amaragosa Vall, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft Cessna TR182, piloted by private pilot [privacy data omitted], attempted to takeoff from a dirt strip at Amaragosa valley, NV on February 27,… ## Other investigations on N2518S (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 LAX81DUJ78](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUJ78), Aug 27, 1981: Cessna TR182 (N2518S), Grand Canyon, AZ, 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.