Probable cause
The pilot's delayed response to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an excursion and collision with a fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to check the pitot tube for debris during preflight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane visually appeared and felt to be accelerating normally, but the airspeed indicator never increased above 40 knots. The pilot aborted the takeoff when the airplane was halfway down the runway. The pilot said he used brakes to decelerate but the airplane was skidding on the wet runway. The pilot was unable to stop and went off the runway and collided with a wood fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the right elevator. Examination of the airplane found the pitot tube was filled with debris. According to the operator, the airplane was not equipped with a pitot tube cover.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA469 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 5, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Mackinac Island (MCD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182T
- N-number
- N3559E
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.