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July 18, 1989 · Cessna 182 · N5158D

New Castle, IN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
New Castle, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N5158D
Operator
Lefavour Emmett L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89LA138

DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RGT SIDE OF THE 1200 X 18 FT GRASS STRIP & WENT INTO A DITCH. THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE ENG 'SPUTTER.' NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. DUE TO HEART PROBLEMS & DIABETES, THE 67 YR OLD PLT HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED A MED CERT SINCE 1977. THE LAST ENTRY IN HIS LOGBOOK WAS IN 1959. AT THAT TIME, HE HAD LOGGED 800 HRS OF FLT TIME. SHORTLY AFTER THE ACDNT, HE SUFFERED A SERIES OF STROKES, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING INTERVIEWED.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTIAN DIRECTIONAL DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. THE DITCH WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Full Narrative

DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RGT SIDE OF THE 1200 X 18 FT GRASS STRIP & WENT INTO A DITCH. THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE ENG 'SPUTTER.' NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. DUE TO HEART PROBLEMS & DIABETES, THE 67 YR OLD PLT HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED A MED CERT SINCE 1977. THE LAST ENTRY IN HIS LOGBOOK WAS IN 1959. AT THAT TIME, HE HAD LOGGED 800 HRS OF FLT TIME. SHORTLY AFTER THE ACDNT, HE SUFFERED A SERIES OF STROKES, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING INTERVIEWED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway18
Runway Length1200 ft
Runway Width18 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN5158D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLefavour Emmett L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-C · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data