# NTSB ANC07CA024: Cessna 177, N2911X, Gridwood, AK, March 11, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 11, 2007, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Gridwood, AK
- Coordinates: 60.96611, -149.125839
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9661&lon=-149.1258&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA024

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of a snow-covered runway for landing, which resulted in a quick stop and damage to the airplane.  A factor associated with the accident was the snow-covered runway.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  He indicated that he checked the few sources available to determine the condition of the destination airport's unmonitored runway.  Upon arrival he made a low pass over the snow-covered runway, and said it looked like it had been plowed due to the berm on either side.  He said during landing, the wheel-equipped airplane came to an abrupt stop in deep snow, damaging the right wing and propeller when they struck the ground.  He stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.  The FAA's Alaska Airport Supplement states, in part: Unattended, runway not monitored, recommend visual inspection prior to landing.

## Factual narrative

The private certificated pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91.  He indicated that he checked the few sources available to determine the condition of the destination airport's unmonitored runway.  Upon arrival he made a low pass over the snow-covered runway, and said it looked like it had been plowed due to the berm on either side.  He said during landing, the wheel-equipped airplane came to an abrupt stop in deep snow, damaging the right wing and propeller when they struck the ground.  He stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.  The FAA's Alaska Airport Supplement states, in part: Unattended, runway not monitored, recommend visual inspection prior to landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2911X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2911X), registered now, S/N 17700311, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700311
- Airframe hours: 4791
- Engines: Lycoming O-360A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Colonel W. Lindsey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2006
- Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK
- Destination: AQY, Gridwood, AK
- Airport: AQY, Girdwood, runway 19, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 270 total, 71 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20070311003719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070311003719A), Mar 11, 2007: Cessna 177, Girdwood, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) A tri-cycle gear, non-retractable gear Cessna CE-177 airplane, while landing at the Girdwood, AK airport, sustained substantial damage to the propeller…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.