This June 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 182. Injuries: None. Location: Franksville, Wis. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot was attempting to take off from a wet grass runway. As the 182 accelerated, he noticed that the airspeed indicator was not functioning.
He hesitated, then decided to abort the takeoff, but there was not enough runway to bring the airplane to a stop. The Cessna went down an embankment and nosed over in ravine.
The post-accident inspection revealed that the pilot had not removed the pitot-tube protective cover before departure, rendering the airspeed indicator in-op.
Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and delay in aborting the takeoff.
For more information: NTSB.gov. NTSB Identification: CEN10CA283
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