# NTSB ATL89LA011: Cessna 177B, N17223, Hatteras, NC, October 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1988, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Hatteras, NC
- Coordinates: 35.219444, -75.679977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2194&lon=-75.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA011

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,axle - bent
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE INITIALLY FLARED TOO HIGH DURING THE LANDING. HE RECOVERED AND THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY TOUCHED DOWN 'FIRMLY' ON THE MAIN GEAR. THE ACFT THEN BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RT 'AS IF THE RT BRAKE WAS LOCKED'. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT THE LDG & THE ACFT PANCAKED INTO A DUNE ADJACENT TO THE RWY. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AFTERWARD REPORTED THAT THE PLT STATED TO HIM THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD LANDED HARD. THE MECH REPORTED FINDING THAT THE RT WHEEL AXLE WAS BENT WHICH HAD RESULTED IN THE FWD SIDE OF THE TIRE BEING DISPLACED OTBD. NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. ACCORDING TO THE ARPT FACILITY DIRECTORY, THE ARPT HAD NO RWY LIGHTS AND CLOSED 30 MINUTES AFTER SUNSET. LOCAL SUNSET OCCURRED AT 1835, ACCORDING TO THE NWS. THE PLT REPORTED THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AT 1930. A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHO INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT IT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 1955.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17223](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17223-2004-06-09), registration cancelled 2004-06-09, S/N 17702521, built 1976 (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: 17702521
- Airframe hours: 1475
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boyertown Flying Club
- Registered owner: Boyertown Flying Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: I07, SUMMERSVILLE, WV
- Airport: 8W5, Billy Mitchell, runway 6, 3,000 × 76 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 271 total, 71 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HAT

## 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 19881009045789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881009045789A), Oct 9, 1988: Cessna 177B, Hatteras, NC, Substantial damage. Leveled off too high landing at night on an unlighted runway. Impact bent right axle. Veered off runway hit sandbank

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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