Cessna 182N Takeoff Accident at Waterval Airstrip (ZS-IIN)

Overview and Circumstances of the Accident On 9 June 2023 at approximately 1130Z, a Cessna 182N aircraft, registration ZS-IIN, was conducting an aerial survey flight for familiarisation on agricultural operations at a private farm airstrip in Waterval, Tzaneen, Limpopo Province. The flight was operated under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) during the day, in accordance with Part 137 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 2011. The aircraft carried a pilot and one passenger. ## Takeoff Sequence and Damage The pilot reported that a pre-flight inspection was completed with no anomalies noted, and the aircraft had 60 US gallons of fuel on board. The takeoff was initiated from grass-covered Runway 14, which had a length of 675 metres and a field elevation of 2,500 feet. The pilot selected 10 degrees of wing flaps and full throttle, rotating the aircraft at an airspeed of 60 miles per hour (MPH). Shortly after rotation, the audio stall warning sounded. The pilot aborted the takeoff and landed the aircraft on the remaining runway surface. Due to insufficient runway length, the aircraft overran the runway, traveled along the overrun area, and came to a stop on a road perpendicular to the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose oleo strut, propeller blades, and fuselage. No injuries or fatalities were reported. ## Contributing Factors and Probable Cause The investigation identified that the pilot used an incorrect takeoff technique, specifically rotating prematurely with flaps set at 10 degrees and an airspeed of 60 MPH. The probable cause was determined to be the pilot's premature rotation, which resulted in a stall. The aircraft subsequently landed on the remaining runway and overran onto the adjacent road. ## Safety Message The report emphasized that pilots should adhere to and follow prescribed operating procedures as stipulated in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH). The C182N POH notes that normal takeoffs are typically accomplished with flaps up, and that using 20 degrees of flaps reduces ground run distance by approximately 20%. Flaps deflections of 30 to 40 degrees are not recommended for takeoff.