# NTSB ATL85LA164: Cessna 177B, N34494, Huntsville, AL, May 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1985, 14:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Location: 34.7474° N, 86.4610° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MOONTOWN (3M5), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7474&lon=-86.4610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA164

## 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 - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DRIFTED RIGHT OF RWY CENTER LINE DURING LANDING ROLL & THE PLT ABORTED THE LANDING BY APPLYING FULL PWR. THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE RWY AND THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE SOFT SOIL RESULTING IN THE ACFT NOSING OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34494](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34494-2012-04-17), registration cancelled 2012-04-17, S/N 17701841, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701841
- Airframe hours: 2520
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leon C. Keller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1985
- Departed: GCY, GREENVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3M5, Madison County Skypark, runway 27, 2,370 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 58 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 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 19850516017369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850516017369A), May 16, 1985: Cessna 177B, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Aircraft ballooned and drifted to side of runway. Power added for go around, nosewheel dug into soil, flipped over.

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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