# NTSB ATL86LA047: Cessna 177RG, N1603H, Atlanta, GA, December 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1985, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.8760° N, 84.3020° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DEKALB-PEACHTREE (PDK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8760&lon=-84.3020&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): 7049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THIS WAS FOLLOWING A FINAL APPROACH WHICH WAS FLOWN HIGH AND FAST. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO STALL APPROXIMATEL 10 FT ABOVE THE RUNWAY AND LAND ON THE NOSE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1603H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1603H-1989-04-26), registration cancelled 1989-04-26, S/N 177RG0776 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG-0776
- Airframe hours: 2105
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas D Freeman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1985, 42 hours before
- Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: PDK, Peachtree-Dekalb, runway 20, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 272 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK

## 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 19851222063219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851222063219A), Dec 22, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Made a hard landing which collapsed nose gear. Elevator trim set to full nose down trim.

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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