Departure Procedures

The instrument-rated pilot of a Cessna 182S Skylane received an IFR clearance about 15 minutes prior to departure from Runway 18R. Witnesses reported observing the airplane pass directly over their work site at a very low altitude, about one mile south of the airport. Radar data disclosed that the airplane was airborne for about 1.5 minutes. Following departure, the airplane made a left bank to an easterly heading while gradually increasing its altitude to 1000 feet msl. The last two returns show an altitude of 900 feet msl and a slight change of direction back toward the south.

Key Takeaways:

• A fatal accident demonstrates the critical importance of strictly adhering to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) departure procedures to ensure terrain and obstacle clearance, even for instrument-rated pilots.
• Pilots bear personal responsibility for obstacle avoidance during IFR departures, requiring thorough preflight planning and precise execution regardless of weather conditions.
• Safe IFR departures rely on three types of procedures—Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs), Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs), or pilot-devised routes when none are published—all of which demand meticulous study and adherence similar to flying an instrument approach.

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