Cessna R182 N182LG accident near Macon, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

During a takeoff attempt from a 1900-ft-long turf runway, the airplane travelled along the runway in a nose-high attitude with the tail dragging in the turf. The airplane lifted off nose high, the wings buffeted, and the airplane drifted left toward trees. A witness described that the engine was operating continuously, and no abnormal engine sounds were heard during the takeoff. The airplane subsequently contacted the trees off the left side of the runway and the wreckage was mostly consumed by a postimpact fire.

Examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. Measurement of the elevator trim actuator corresponded to a full nose-up elevator trim position. Review of a before takeoff checklist from a pilot operating handbook for the make and model airplane revealed instructions to set the elevator trim to the takeoff position before takeoff. It is possible that the pilot used a full nose-up trim position for the previous landing on the short runway and forgot to reset the elevator trim before the accident takeoff. This trim position likely resulted in the airplane’s nose up pitch attitude during the takeoff attempt, the airplane’s tail contacting the ground reducing its performance during the takeoff, and resulted in the pilot losing control of the airplane.

Toxicological testing detected cetirizine in postmortem specimens from the pilot. cetirizine is an over-the-counter antihistamine medication commonly used to treat allergy symptoms and that often carries a warning that users may experience drowsiness. The FAA states that pilots should wait 48 hours after using cetirizine before flying to allow time for the drug to be cleared from circulation. Data on sedation and psychomotor impairment from cetirizine are mixed, with some studies finding some sedating and impairing effects. However, the investigation could not determine if the cetirizine had any impairing or sedating effects on the pilot at the time of the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA240 for the full record.