Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, by failure to survey the takeoff area, and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Upsloping terrain and high vegetation in the takeoff area were related factors.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he failed to survey the takeoff area before the flight. During the takeoff ground roll, the airplane would not reach the takeoff airspeed due to upsloping terrain and 2 foot tall grass. The pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid a collision with trees ahead. The airplane came to rest with damage to the landing gear, right wing, fuselage, propeller, and tail section.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 18, 1997, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna C-182G-460, N3182S, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll from a field near Spartanburg, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that while on the takeoff roll, he realized that he was unable to become airborne due to a slow airspeed. The pilot intentionally ground looped the aircraft to avoid colliding with obstructions ahead. Examination of the field revealed upsloping terrain with unmowed grass up to 2 feet in height and a field length of 1,000 feet. The pilot further stated that if he had surveyed the area prior to the flight, the accident would not have occurred. -