Cessna 182A accident near Concord, Wisconsin, August 24, 2013
On August 24, 2013 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Cessna 182A, registered N5131D, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Concord, Wisconsin (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to properly plan for a maximum performance takeoff by not fully addressing the elevated density altitude or the nonstandard runway surface conditions and his failure to properly configure the airplane's flap setting for the accident takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2013 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Concord, Wisconsin · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182A · all 182As on the register
- Registration
- N5131D · no longer on the register · serial 51231
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to depart from a 1,800-foot-long turf runway at the time of the accident. He noted that the grass was about 4 inches high and the ambient temperature was about 84 degrees F. The pilot stated that takeoff acceleration was slow and, when the airplane did not lift off within 200 feet of the expected point, he decided to abort the takeoff. He subsequently realized that he would not be able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway and intentionally veered to the left to avoid trees. The airplane encountered a soybean field and a small tree during the runway excursion. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He noted that the airplane weight was near the maximum certificated takeoff gross weight and commented that he should have more closely factored the effect of density altitude on the operation. The airport elevation was 833 feet, and the associated density altitude was about 2,070 feet. The airplane owner's handbook provided takeoff data applicable to a hard surfaced runway with a 20-degree flap setting. From a hard surface runway, at 2,500 feet mean sea level, an ambient temperature of about 81 degrees F, and calm wind, the expected ground roll would be about 750 feet. The investigation revealed that the pilot did not configure the airplane for a maximum performance takeoff as specified in the owner's handbook. The pilot attempted the accident takeoff with a 10-degree flap deflection instead of a 20-degree flap deflection, as specified. In addition, available takeoff performance data were only applicable to a hard-surfaced runway; takeoff data were not available for a turf runway. The takeoff from a turf runway and the improper flap setting, as well as the elevated density altitude that day, would be expected to increase the takeoff ground roll.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Performance calculations › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 601 hours in all; 480 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 14, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,166 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 17, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Concord WI at 7:45 pm
- Destination: C17 Marion IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 1,800 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from RYV, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.