N92322

On October 9, 1998, at 0600 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182N, N92322, operated by a private pilot, collided with trees during an initial takeoff climb from runway 36 (2,200' x 100', sod) at Duford Field, Genesee, Michigan. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The planned destination was Rogers City, Michigan.

The pilot reported that after lifting off he heard a "click" and the airplane contacted the top of a tree off the right side of the runway. He stated that this resulted in the airplane turning more to the east into bigger trees. The airplane contacted these trees and came to rest near the end of and about 500 feet east of the runway.

The pilot reported to the Michigan State Police that he took off without turning on the runway lights. The police report states, "He believes he lost ground reference due to the darkness and drifted right from the runway. He clipped a tree and struck a second tree. It appears that this tree then split, rotating the aircraft upside down and towards the ground. The aircraft fell on its roof into a heavily wooded area, approximately 150 yards east of the runway. The point of final rest was 200 feet south of the end of runway 36." The officer who responded to the accident site reported "medium fog at the airport."