NTSB Factual Report

On August 24, 2013, about 1445 central daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N5131D, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff and runway excursion from a private airstrip located near Concord, Wisconsin. The pilot and front seat passenger were not injured; the rear seat passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on flight plan. The flight was originating at time of the accident. The intended destination was the Marion Airport (C17), Marion, Iowa.

The pilot reported that he was attempting to depart from the 1,800-foot long turf runway at the time of the accident. He noted that the grass was about 4 inches high and the ambient temperature was about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated that takeoff acceleration was slow and when the airplane did not liftoff within 200 feet of the expected point he elected to abort the takeoff. He subsequently realized that he would not be able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway, and intentionally veered to the left in order to avoid trees. The airplane encountered a soybean field and a small tree during the runway excursion. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and engine firewall.

The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions which preceded the accident. He noted that the gross weight was approximately 2,640 lbs. at the time of the accident. The maximum certificated takeoff gross weight for the airplane was 2,650 lbs. He commented that he should have more closely factored the effect of density altitude on the operation.

A postaccident examination determined that the accident takeoff was performed with a 10-degree flap setting. The propeller control also appeared to be extended about one-half inch from the full forward position. No anomalies were identified with respect to the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather conditions recorded at the Watertown Municipal Airport (RYV), located about 10 miles northwest of the accident site, at 1415 were: wind from 160 degrees at 5 knots; 10 miles visibility; clear sky; temperature 27 degrees Celsius; dew point 18 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.22 inches of mercury. The airport elevation was 833 feet, and the associated density altitude was about 2,070 feet.

The airplane owner's handbook provided takeoff data applicable to a hard surfaced runway with a 20-degree flap setting. From a hard surface runway, at 2,500 feet and with an ambient temperature of about 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and calm wind, the expected ground roll would be about 750 feet. However, takeoff data associated with a turf runway or with a 10-degree flap setting was not available.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to properly plan for a maximum performance takeoff by not fully addressing the elevated density altitude or the nonstandard runway surface conditions and his failure to properly configure the airplane's flap setting for the accident takeoff.