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NTSB Report

November 9, 1997 · Cessna 182A · N5883B

Parkton, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Parkton, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N5883B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA98LA028

The pilot reported that about 50 feet above the ground after takeoff he began to smell smoke and then saw smoke in the cockpit. He elected to abort the takeoff and land on the runway. He said the airplane bounced once and then landed. After touchdown he steered straight with both brakes full on. When it became apparent that he could not stop before the trees at the end of the runway, he began a hard turn to right. The left main landing gear failed, the left wing hit the ground and the aircraft came to a stop. Examination of the wreckage revealed that a chafed auto battery cable, aft of the firewall, caused the soundproofing on the firewall to catch fire.

NTSB Probable Cause

improper installation of an auto battery cable which led to an in-flight fire due to the chaffed cable.

Full Narrative

On November 9, 1997, about 1415 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182A, N5883B, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91, local parachute jump flight, aborted the takeoff and ground looped at Southern Comfort Airport, Parkton, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport pilot and four passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time. The pilot reported that the airplane had taken off, and had reached an altitude of about 50 feet above the ground when he "began to smell smoke, and then saw smoke in the cockpit." The pilot elected to abort the takeoff, and land on the runway. He said the airplane "bounced once and then landed." After touchdown he steered "straight with both brakes full on." When it "became apparent that I could not stop before the trees at the end of the runway, I began a hard turn to right...just as I began to straighten out, the left main landing gear failed...the left wing hit the ground and the aircraft came to a stop." Examination of the wreckage by the FAA revealed that a chafed auto battery cable, aft of the fire wall, caused the sound proofing on the fire wall to catch fire, resulting in smoke entering the cabin.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EST
Nearest AirportSouthern Comfort (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN5883B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data