NTSB Factual Report

On November 9, 2002, at 1041 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182N, N253R, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with the terrain while on initial climb after takeoff from the Flying J Airport, Wheatfield, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his three passengers reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's written statement, he departed on runway 27 and encountered a "gust of wind from the south" and the airplane stalled. The pilot reported that he recovered from the stalled condition and then experienced another stall. The pilot stated he did not recover from the second stall prior to the impact with the terrain.

At 1053 a weather observation station, located 13 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, recorded the wind direction and speed as 200 degrees magnetic at 19 knots gusting to 24 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining aircraft control and the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind condition. Factors to the accident were the gusting wind condition and the inadvertent stall at a low altitude.