Accident Summary
On August 21, 2011, at approximately 1255 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182Q (registration N79ES) struck a fence during takeoff from Strawberry Valley Estates Airport (UT24) in Alton, Utah. The airplane was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 by a private pilot. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The cross-country flight was destined for Henderson Executive Airport in Henderson, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported performing a ground run-up and taxiing to the beginning of runway 21. During the takeoff roll, the airplane reached an airspeed of 60 knots as it approached the end of the runway. The pilot initiated takeoff, and the airplane began to climb but failed to produce adequate lift. The landing gear struck a fence. Due to a vehicle in the airplane’s flight path, the pilot initiated a right turn. The airplane subsequently struck a street sign, collided with the ground, and nosed over.
Airport and Weather Information
Strawberry Hills Estates Airport consisted of a 50-foot-wide, 4,200-foot-long dirt airstrip at an elevation of 8,141 feet mean sea level. The closest official weather observation station was at Bryce Canyon Airport (elevation 7,590 feet, 31 miles northeast). A routine weather report issued about 25 minutes before the accident indicated wind from 150 degrees at 9 knots gusting to 15 knots, temperature 25°C, dew point 8°C, and altimeter setting 30.37 inches of mercury. Using these values, the density altitude at the takeoff location would have been about 10,700 feet.
Aircraft Performance
The Cessna 182Q Information Manual provides takeoff performance data using the short field takeoff technique only. At maximum gross weight (2,950 pounds), temperature 20°C, and pressure altitude 8,000 feet, the ground roll distance would have been 1,530 feet, with a distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle of 3,300 feet. To achieve this performance, the pilot must initiate takeoff at an indicated airspeed of 49 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane was loaded 211 pounds below maximum gross weight and believed that reducing weight by an additional 300 pounds would most likely have allowed him to avoid the accident.
Examination
A cursory examination of the engine and airframe was performed by an FAA inspector, who reported no obvious anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. After the FAA examination and release of the airplane to the owner, an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic performed a differential engine cylinder compression test. The engine had sustained damage preventing its operation, so the test was conducted with the engine cold. Cylinder number three exhibited an exhaust valve leak with a differential pressure value of 20/80 PSI. Cylinders five and six showed piston ring leaks with values of 44/80 and 42/80 PSI, respectively. The Teledyne Continental Motors Service Bulletin SB03-3 specifies that such tests must be performed immediately after engine operation with cowling installed until a minimum cylinder head temperature of 300 to 350°F is achieved.