Cessna 182 accident near Lexington, Texas, July 8, 2007
On July 8, 2007 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Cessna 182, registered N5518B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lexington, Texas (Lexington Airfield). It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to takeoff from the unsuitable runway. Contributing to this accident was the soft terrain in the overrun area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2007 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lexington, Texas · Lexington Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N5518B · no longer on the register · serial 33518
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Following three days of rain, the pilot attempted a soft field takeoff from a turf runway. The pilot reported that as the airplane was "sliding" down the runway he observed something on the windscreen that resembled oil, followed by a decrease in engine oil pressure. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and the airplane exited the runway into tall grass before it nosed-over and came to a rest in an inverted position. An Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (A&P) examined the airplane. The examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies with the airplanes flight controls or engine. The mechanic stated that the residue on the windshield appeared to be mud.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 660 hours in all; 125 in this make and model; 140 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 530 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TE75 Lexington TX at 2:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,300 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 800 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:25 pm from RWV, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.