Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 22, 2017 · Cessna 182L · N42143

Arbuckle, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Arbuckle, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182L (1968)
Tail Number
N42143
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR17LA160

The private pilot reported that, during takeoff from the 2,500-ft grass- and dirt-covered runway, the airplane lifted off the runway normally, and he flew the airplane at a low altitude to gain airspeed before he pitched the airplane upward to initiate a climb. The pilot stated that the airplane initially climbed before it started to settle toward the runway. The pilot attempted to gain airspeed and began a second rotation to climb but realized that the airplane would be unable to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff and landed on the remaining length of the runway. However, the landing flare was late, which caused the airplane to porpoise, resulting in ineffective braking. Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and impacted trees before the airplane came to rest upright within an orchard. Both wings sustained structural damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. According to the reported weights of the pilot and passenger, the reported fuel load, and the airplane's empty weight, the airplane was within its weight and balance limitations. On the basis of the airplane's performance charts, the airplane would have required about 1,366 ft to clear obstacles and thus should have been able to successfully depart from the private grass/dirt runway. However, when the airplane did not begin to climb after the initial liftoff, the pilot should have rejected the takeoff rather than attempt to climb a second time. The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff resulted in an improper flare, a bounced landing, and a subsequent runway overrun.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff and his failure to properly conduct a rejected takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun.

Full Narrative

On July 22, 2017, about 0845 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182L airplane, N42143, was substantially damaged during a runway overrun following an aborted takeoff from a private airstrip near Arbuckle, California. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Colusa, California.The pilot reported that after engine start, he let the engine run at a medium RPM, while turning on the avionics. The pilot then set the engine RPM to 1,700, conducted a left and right magneto check, along with carburetor heat and cycling the propeller 3 times before reducing RPM to idle. The pilot stated that he set the flaps to 20o, checked the fuel [shutoff] valve, and advanced throttle. As he aligned the airplane with the 2,500-foot long grass/dirt runway, he advanced the throttle to full power. He added that his ground run seemed routine as the airplane had lifted off of the runway as normal. The pilot kept the airplane low to gain airspeed and initiated a climb at an airspeed of 60 miles per hour. The pilot further stated that the airplane started to climb a few feet, however, settled back down, and he held the elevator forward to "keep the airspeed up" and began another rotation to climb. The pilot realized he was going to be unable to clear the trees at the end of the runway and aborted the takeoff. The pilot stated that his flare was late and the airplane porposed,"so brakes were ineffective." Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the runway and impacted multiple trees before it came to rest upright within an orchard. Examination of the airplane by local law enforcement revealed that the fuselage and both wings were structurally damaged. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination. In addition, first responders reported fuel leaking from both wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the flap handle was set to the 20° position. Corresponding impact marks, consistent with the flaps were observed on both the left and right sides of the fuselage. The marks were found consistent with a flap setting of about 20°. The flap actuator was measured at 3.9 inches, or about 20° of flaps extended. The elevator trim was found in a position consistent with a takeoff setting. The airframe was setup for an engine test run and an external fuel source was attached to the right wing fuel inlet line. The engine was primed and started normally. The engine was run throughout various power settings for about 10 minutes before it was shut down using the mixture. During the engine run, a left and right magneto check was conducted, noting an approximate 120 rpm drop for both magnetos. The carburetor heat was found to function normally. No evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane was found. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the airplane weighed 2,641 pounds, or about 159 pounds under the maximum gross weight of 2,800 pounds. Using weights of the pilot and passenger, empty weight of the airplane, and reported fuel load, the IIC calculated that the airplane was within weight and balance limitations at the time of the accident. The pilot operating handbook for the accident airplane, section 5, Operational Data, figure 5-3, Take-Off Data, states that at 2,800 pounds, sea level elevation, and 59°F, no wind, and flaps set to 20°, the required ground run on a hard surface would be 825 feet, or 1,205 to clear a 50-foot obstacle. Note 1 for the Take-Off Chart states that an increase of 10% should be used for each 25°F above standard temperature should be used. Note 2 states that for operation from a dry, grass runway, both ground run and total to clear a 50 feet obstacle should be increased by 7 percent of the total to clear 50-foot obstacle figure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 PDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm E)
RunwayE
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182L
Tail NumberN42143
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470-3 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data