N5518B

On July 8, 2007, about 0930 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna 182 airplane, N5518B, was substantially damaged following an aborted takeoff from the Lexington Airfield (TE75), near Lexington, Texas. The commercial pilot and the two skydiving passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Austin Skydiving, Inc., of Lexington, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial drop flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The accident was reported by local law enforcement personnel on July 24, 2007.

According to the pilot, age 22, following three days of rain, he attempted a soft field takeoff from runway 17 (a 3,300-foot long by 150-foot wide turf runway). The pilot reported that as the airplane was "sliding" down the runway he observed something on the windscreen that resembled oil, followed by a decrease in engine oil pressure. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and reduced the engine's power to idle. With the end of the runway approaching, the pilot applied the airplane's brakes and full-up elevator in an attempt to keep the nose landing gear out of the soft soil. The airplane exited the runway into tall grass before it nosed-over and came to a rest in an inverted position. The pilot and passengers were able to exit the airplane unassisted.

The pilot reported that the airplane's engine firewall, right wing strut, both wings and the vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage during the mishap.

An Airframe and Powerplant mechanic (A&P) examined the airplane. The mechanic reported that the examination revealed no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane's flight controls or engine. The mechanic further stated that the residue on the windshield appeared to be mud.

At 0925, an automated weather observation facility located approximately 12 nautical miles from the accident site reported winds from 200 degrees at 7 knots, 8 statute miles visibility, scattered clouds at 800 feet, scattered clouds at 1,200 feet, temperature 77 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.00 inches of Mercury.