Accident Overview
On June 16, 2022, at approximately 1128 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna TR182, registration N756EG, was destroyed in an accident near Davis, California. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported minor injuries.
Flight Sequence
According to the pilot, after an uneventful engine run-up, the airplane taxied to runway 17 at University Airport, Davis (EDU), for departure. During the takeoff climb, at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level (agl), smoke was observed coming from the instrument panel. As the airplane reached approximately 200 feet agl, flames emitted from the pilot’s rudder pedal area, followed by a partial loss of engine power. The airplane had sufficient altitude to clear trees near the departure end of the runway, and the pilot executed a forced landing in a tomato field. During the landing rollout, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
Damage and Fire
Review of on-scene photographs provided by the Federal Aviation Administration showed that the airplane sustained impact damage and was destroyed by inflight and postaccident fires.
Postaccident Examination
The National Transportation Safety Board conducted an examination that revealed the firewall, engine, engine mount, and nose landing gear had separated as one unit from the fuselage structure. The engine accessory case sustained thermal damage. The initiating source of the fire could not be determined due to the extent of thermal damage.