# NTSB WPR24LA152: Cessna 182H, N2388X, Three Forks, MT, May 10, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 10, 2024, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Three Forks, MT · Airport - Coordinates: 45.878111, -111.56944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8781&lon=-111.5694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194270/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194270 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA152 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in an attempted departure with the flight control lock device installed, and subsequent nose landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Flight control system: gust lock or damper](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022770/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182H, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072718), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff, the airplane pitched down unexpectedly and bounced on the runway. The pilot realized the control lock device was still installed but was unable to remove it before the aircraft impacted the runway firmly enough to collapse the nose gear. The pilot reported that due to the installation of new avionics, he modified the original flight control lock device, and it no longer covered the ignition switch. During the preflight inspection, he failed to remove the modified flight control lock. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2388X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2388X), registered now, S/N 18256288, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H - Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18256288 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 3050 - Engines: Continental O-470-R reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 9, 2023 - Airport: 9S5, Three Forks Airport, runway 21, 5,099 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,295 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,295 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.33 inHg - Observed at: KBZN, 18 nm away - METAR: KBZN 101656Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/05 A3033 RMK AO2 SLP271 T01170050 ## 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 20240510004509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240510004509A), May 10, 2024: Cessna 182H, Three Forks, MT, Substantial damage. During take-offroll pilot noticed he left the control lock in the yoke the aircraft began to lift-off then began to porpoise several times. On the last… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 21, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194270. 11.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 10.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17196475&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20pdf_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation- pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17196867&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17197069&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.