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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 23, 1982 · Cessna A188B · N731RG

Lodi, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 23, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lodi, CA
Aircraft
Cessna A188B
Tail Number
N731RG
Operator
John F Gladish
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82DVD10

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE NOTED FROST ON THE WINGS BEFORE TAKEOFF, BUT FELT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO BE CONCERNED. HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A 2500 FT AIRSTRIP WITH A LOAD OF PARAQUAT AND WATER. THERE WAS A SLIGHT TAILWIND. HE STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ENGINE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DEVELOPING FULL POWER. HE ACTUATED THE DUMP HANDLE TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD, BUT STRUCK A 5 FT BANK NEAR THE END OF THE STRIP. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE REVEALED NO PRE-CRASH MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES EXCEPT CONSIDERABLE LEAD DEPOSITS ON THE LOWER SPARK PLUGS. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A RUN-UP CHECK. THE PROPELLER CONTROL WAS FOUND POSITIONED LESS THAN HALF WAY FROM THE HIGH PITCH SETTING. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE EXERCISED THE PROPELLER CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE TAKEOFF. HE INDICATED THAT HE MAY HAVE MISTAKENLY LEFT THE PROPELLER CONTROL IN A HIGH PITCH, LOW RPM POSITION.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE NOTED FROST ON THE WINGS BEFORE TAKEOFF, BUT FELT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO BE CONCERNED. HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A 2500 FT AIRSTRIP WITH A LOAD OF PARAQUAT AND WATER. THERE WAS A SLIGHT TAILWIND. HE STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ENGINE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DEVELOPING FULL POWER. HE ACTUATED THE DUMP HANDLE TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD, BUT STRUCK A 5 FT BANK NEAR THE END OF THE STRIP. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE REVEALED NO PRE-CRASH MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES EXCEPT CONSIDERABLE LEAD DEPOSITS ON THE LOWER SPARK PLUGS. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A RUN-UP CHECK. THE PROPELLER CONTROL WAS FOUND POSITIONED LESS THAN HALF WAY FROM THE HIGH PITCH SETTING. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE EXERCISED THE PROPELLER CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE TAKEOFF. HE INDICATED THAT HE MAY HAVE MISTAKENLY LEFT THE PROPELLER CONTROL IN A HIGH PITCH, LOW RPM POSITION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:00 PST
Nearest AirportThomas Ranch (0nm N)
Runway29
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A188B
Tail NumberN731RG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn F Gladish
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D32 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data