Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during takeoff initial climb.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on a road in order to visit a ranch. After walking over to the ranch, he found that he had landed at the wrong location. He walked back to the airplane, performed a preflight inspection, and proceeded to takeoff from the road. During the takeoff initial climb, he felt the airplane sinking. The left main landing gear wheel struck a fence, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Both wings sustained structural damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA260 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 6, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gerlach, Nevada
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182D
- N-number
- N800RJ
- 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.