Event CHI02LA066

Factual narrative

On January 22, 2002, at 1055 central standard time, a Cessna T210N, N4785U, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted into an empty water retention pond during takeoff from runway 31L (3,859 feet by 60 feet, dry concrete) at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), Chicago, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted on an instrument flight rules plan under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and three passengers on board reported no injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Plymouth, Indiana. In his written statement, the pilot said that he was on takeoff roll. He said he accelerated to 65 KIAS and rotated approximately at the intersection of runway 22L. The pilot said, "[The] Aircraft wanted to fly ... that is nose lifted, and I held normal elevator back pressure. [The] Rotation was more than desired. [I] Attempted to hold 10 degrees nose up pitch attitude. Immediately after liftoff the aircraft began to simultaneously yaw to the left and drift to [the] left. Aircraft was unresponsive in all axes as hard right aileron, right rudder and nose down elevator was applied. Aircraft reach[ed] an estimated height of 20 to 30 feet and began settling after passing over taxiway F. [The] Aircraft impacted in [a] dry pond bed in southwest quadrant 22R and taxiway F." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at MDW. The nose wheel was broken aft. The front and bottom engine cowlings were bent aft and wrinkled. The nose wheel well and firewall were bent aft. The propeller showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. The airplane's left wing tip was broken aft along the longitudinal rivet line. The right main landing gear was bent upward. The bottom of the left horizontal stabilizer was bent inward. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. At 1053, the reported winds at MDW were 200 degrees magnetic at 13 knots. The pilot said that on takeoff roll on runway 31L at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), he accelerated to 65 KIAS and rotated approximately at the intersection of runway 22L. The pilot said the rotation was more than desired. He said he attempted to hold 10 degrees nose up pitch attitude. Immediately after liftoff the airplane began to simultaneously yaw to the left and drift to the left. He said the airplane was unresponsive in all axes as he applied hard right aileron, right rudder, and nose down elevator. The pilot said the airplane reached an estimated height of 20 to 30 feet and began settling after passing over taxiway F. The airplane impacted into a dry pond bed in southwest quadrant of the airport. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. The reported winds at MDW were 200 degrees magnetic at 13 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12