2010 Cessna 182Q accident at Moosburg

Overview and Circumstances of the Accident On 22 May 2010, a Cessna 182Q operated by a club crashed shortly after takeoff from Sonderlandeplatz Moosburg auf der Kippe (EDPI). The aircraft was on a sightseeing flight during an airfield festival. The pilot, a 72-year-old holder of a private pilot license, was accompanied by three adults and a four-year-old child seated on the lap of the front-right passenger. The pilot reported a normal acceleration phase and liftoff at approximately 55 knots near the half-runway marking. He then perceived a loss of engine power. Believing an aborted takeoff was no longer possible, he attempted to avoid trees in the direction of takeoff by turning right. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled flight state, lost altitude, and collided with trees and low vegetation before striking the ground and catching fire. Witnesses observed a very high angle of attack immediately after liftoff. One pilot, observing from another aircraft, called over the radio for the pilot to lower the nose. The angle of attack briefly decreased, but the aircraft continued to lose altitude at the end of the runway with a high angle of attack. The occupants evacuated the wreckage independently before the fire spread. The onboard fire extinguisher was ineffective, and the fire was extinguished by the fire brigade stationed at the airfield festival. ## Aircraft and Engine Findings The aircraft was a four-seat, braced high-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear, built in 1980 by Cessna Aircraft Company. It had a serial number of 182-67597, a maximum takeoff weight of 1,338 kg, and an estimated takeoff weight of approximately 1,270 kg. Total airframe time was about 4,550 hours. The last airworthiness inspection was performed on 19 March 2010. The engine had approximately 190 hours since its last overhaul. The engine was removed and examined at an aviation technical facility. A report dated 5 August 2010 found discoloration on the bottom of piston number 1, consistent with insufficient gas exchange. Both spark plugs in cylinder number 1 showed poor combustion marks caused by an inadequate fuel-air mixture. The exhaust valve lifter in cylinder number 1 had damage on its rolling pressure surface, attributed to a defective hydraulic unit in the lifter body. Red particles were found inside the hydraulic unit, blocking the oil passages. As a result, the hydraulic unit was inoperative, and the exhaust valve could not achieve its full required lift. The valve opened too late and not far enough to expel all combustion gases from the combustion chamber. This caused gas backflow in cylinder number 1, resulting in a significant engine power loss of approximately 20% of rated power. ## Meteorological and Airfield Conditions At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Visibility exceeded 10 km, and the wind was from 270° at 3 knots. The air temperature at Munich Airport (EDDM), approximately 15 km away, was 19°C, and the air pressure was 1,022 hPa. Sonderlandeplatz Moosburg auf der Kippe (EDPI) is located about 1.5 km south of Moosburg. It has a grass runway 700 m long and 30 m wide, oriented 04/22. For takeoff direction 22, the available takeoff run (TORA) was 500 m, plus a 30 m usable safety strip. The airfield is surrounded by shrubs, rows of trees, and forest. ## Accident Site and Damage The accident site was located 685 m from threshold 22 and approximately 70 m to the right of the departure centerline, between a wooded area and an unpaved path. The right wing had collided with a tree; approximately 1.5 m of the outer wing and the aileron were torn off. ## Investigation The investigation was conducted by the German Federal Aviation Accident Investigation Office (BFU) under Regulation (EU) No 996/2010 and the German Aviation Accident Investigation Act (FlUUG). The sole purpose of the investigation is the prevention of future accidents and incidents, not the determination of fault, liability, or claims. The report was summarily concluded under § 18 FlUUG, presenting only the facts.