Cessna 182S N7111W accident near Bolingbrook, Illinois

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot completed a preflight inspection of the airplane before departing on a local flight. Upon adding power for takeoff, the airplane initially tracked straight but then started to turn right; the pilot was unable to correct the turn or stop the airplane, and the airplane exited the side of the runway before coming to rest inverted. An examination of the steering and rudder system did not find any preimpact abnormalities. The pilot added that he did not notice any undirected braking or unusual taxi characteristics of the airplane before the takeoff. An automated weather observation facility located about 5 miles south of the accident site recorded a crosswind at 4 knots about the time of the accident, which the pilot should have been able to compensate for. Given the lack of mechanical anomalies and light wind conditions, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA041 for the full record.