# NTSB ATL02LA090: Cessna 177, N2809X, Locust Grove, GA, April 29, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 2002, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Locust Grove, GA - Coordinates: 33.346389, -84.108612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3464&lon=-84.1086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54617/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54617 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot improper flare during an aborted takeoff, followed by an subsequent hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - aborted - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane impacted the runway during an aborted takeoff. According to the pilot, during the takeoff, he experienced gusty wind conditions and decided to abort the take-off. The airplane landed hard on the runway surface, and was damaged. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 2002, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2809X, registered to a private pilot, impacted the runway during an aborted take off at Mallards Landing, Locust Grove, Georgia. The personal flight was operated by the private pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged; the private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Mallards Landing, Locust Grove, Georgia, at 1300. According to the pilot, during his take off, he experienced gusty wind conditions and turbulence that required more than the usual amount of airplane control to maintain attitude and heading. As he transitioned to a steady climb he encountered more gust. The pilot noticed the airspeed dropped and decided to abort the take-off. The pilot stated that, during the landing phase of the aborted takeoff, he touched down hard on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed, that the nose wheel strut was fully compressed. The firewall and fuselage aft to the door hinge were buckled. The left main landing gear strut was bent upward and aft. The wreckage examination failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. The pilot did not report mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2809X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2809X), registered now, S/N 17700209, 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: 17700209 - Airframe hours: 2555 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jim J. Guckian - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2002, 2 hours before - Departed: GA04, LOCUST GROVE, GA - Airport: GA04, Mallards Landing, runway 25, 2,800 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 17, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 570 total, 235 in this make and model, 496 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: ATL ## 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 20020429008119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020429008119A), Apr 29, 2002: Cessna 177, Locust Grove, GA, No damage. (-23) The accident happened at approx 13:00 pm on 04/29/02, in locus Grove, GA at mallard landings (GA04) private airstrip. Pilots statement said that he was… ## Other investigations on N2809X (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI69D0143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0143), Jul 22, 1968: Cessna 177 (N2809X), Port Clinton, OH, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54617. 308 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Supplement S (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40165742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Weather Data (item 3, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40165744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.