Cessna 182H accident near Littleton, North Carolina, December 27, 2013
On December 27, 2013 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1964 Cessna 182H, registered N1833X, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Littleton, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 27, 2013 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Littleton, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182H H, built 1964 · all 182Hs on the register
- Registration
- N1833X · registry record · serial 18255933
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a cross-country flight, the engine sputtered twice and the pilot performed an uneventful precautionary landing, in a field about 20 miles away from his intended destination. The pilot then secured ground transportation and obtained more fuel for the airplane. During the subsequent takeoff from the "L-shaped" field, the airplane drifted right and struck a culvert on the right boundary of the field. The pilot continued the takeoff and landed at his intended destination. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the nosegear, lower fuselage, and firewall. The pilot also reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,025 hours in all; 451 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 1,025 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 2, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,282 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 11, 2013; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470 (piston); 5,254 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Littleton NC at 10:00 pm
- Destination: LHZ Louisburg NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.38 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from LHZ, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.