# NTSB ATL03LA099: Cessna 177RG, N33223, Wilmington, NC, May 29, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2003, 15:19 local (19:19 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, NC
- Coordinates: 34.26889, -77.902496
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2689&lon=-77.9025&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Greensboro FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57096
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57096/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA099

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor was the ditch.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, upon arriving at the destination airport , he established an approach to runway 24.  During the landing roll the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and collided with a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was buckled. The firewall and cockpit floor were also buckled. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot or found during the examination of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 2003, at 1519 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N33223, registered to N33223 LLC and operated by a private pilot, veered off the left side of runway 24 during a landing roll and collided with a ditch at Wilmington Airport, Wilmington, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Ocracoke Airport, Ocracoke, North Carolina, on May 29, 2003 at 1315.

According to the pilot, arriving at the destination airport , he established an approach to runway 24.  During the landing roll the airplane veered off  the left side of runway and collided with a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was buckled. The firewall and cockpit floor were also buckled. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot or found during the examination of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N33223 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0927
- Airframe hours: 1995
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: N33223 LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 2003, 75 hours before
- Departed: W95, OCRACOKE, NC
- Destination: ILM, WILMINGTON, NC
- Airport: W95, Ocracoke Island, runway 24, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 270 total, 125 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observed at: ILM

## 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 20030529012239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030529012239A), May 29, 2003: Cessna 177RG, Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was attempting to land at ilm in gusty wind conditions. According to the pilot, the landing was normal, but he lost control and the aircraft…

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.

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