Cessna T182T accident near Mccall, Idaho, August 14, 2010
On August 14, 2010 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Cessna T182T, registered N992WS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Mccall, Idaho (Bernard Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's delay in making the decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the condition of the takeoff surface, and the high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2010 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Mccall, Idaho · Bernard Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T182T · all T182Ts on the register
- Registration
- N992WS · registry record · serial T18208168
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the turbocharged airplane was executing a takeoff from a 1,900-foot-long grass/turf back country airstrip. The surface of the airstrip was rough, with occasional holes and soft spots, and areas of vegetation. The density altitude calculated by the pilot was 5,495 feet. Although he had determined that the airplane should be able to successfully complete the takeoff, during the latter part of the takeoff roll the pilot became uncomfortable with the airplane's rate of acceleration, and he therefore elected to abort the takeoff. After making the decision to abort the takeoff, the pilot was unable to stop the airplane before it went off the end of the runway, rolled down a bank, and nosed over onto its back, whereupon it sustained substantial damage to both its wings and its fuselage. According to the pilot, there was no indication of any engine or flight control anomalies. In the Operator Safety Recommendation section of the NTSB form 6120.1, the pilot stated, "A decision to abort earlier may have prevented the roll off the end of the runway."
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
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa › Soft › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 612 hours in all; 505 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 941 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 5, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: North Bay Commercial Real Estate INC
The flight
- Departed from: U54 Mccall ID at 10:45 pm
- Destination: U72 Upper Loon ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 1,900 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.