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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 16, 1989 · Cessna 182J · N3542F

Bethel, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Bethel, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 182J
Tail Number
N3542F
Operator
Kelch Wendell C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89FA198

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SOYBEAN FIELD, SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM HIS 1600 FT TURF STRIP. HE RPRTD THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE PLANE REACHED AN ALT OF 200 TO 300 FT AGL. HE COULD NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT HAD OCCURRED AFTER THAT, THOUGH HE DID RECALL LOWERING THE NOSE & HEARING A BUZZER SOUND AT ONE POINT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE PROP BLADES WERE TWISTED OR BENT WITH CHORDWISE SCRATCHES ON BOTH BLADES. THE ENG WAS PLACED IN A TEST CELL, WHERE IT WAS STARTED & RUN TO IDLE RPM. IT WAS NOT OPERATED ABOVE IDLE RPM, DUE TO A BENT CRANKSHAFT FLANGE. (THE CRANKSHAFT FLANGE WAS BENT DRG IMPACT.)

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A RELATED FACTOR.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A SOYBEAN FIELD, SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM HIS 1600 FT TURF STRIP. HE RPRTD THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL UNTIL THE PLANE REACHED AN ALT OF 200 TO 300 FT AGL. HE COULD NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT HAD OCCURRED AFTER THAT, THOUGH HE DID RECALL LOWERING THE NOSE & HEARING A BUZZER SOUND AT ONE POINT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE PROP BLADES WERE TWISTED OR BENT WITH CHORDWISE SCRATCHES ON BOTH BLADES. THE ENG WAS PLACED IN A TEST CELL, WHERE IT WAS STARTED & RUN TO IDLE RPM. IT WAS NOT OPERATED ABOVE IDLE RPM, DUE TO A BENT CRANKSHAFT FLANGE. (THE CRANKSHAFT FLANGE WAS BENT DRG IMPACT.)

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway27
Runway Length1600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182J
Tail NumberN3542F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKelch Wendell C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data