# NTSB ATL90LA122: Cessna 177, N3235T, Hazard, KY, May 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1990, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Hazard, KY
- Coordinates: 37.250129, -83.189216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2501&lon=-83.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8243/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA122

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND, WHEN AN UPDRAFT CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE HIGH ON FINAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - updraft (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DIVERTED TO AN AIRPORT DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER AT HIS DESTINATION. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, HE FELT AN UPDRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT GAINED ABOUT 150 FEET OF ALTITUDE. THE THROTTLE WAS RETARDED TO IDLE, AND THE FLAPS WERE PARTIALLY RAISED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE 3240 FOOT RUNWAY. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY, AND THE AIRPLANE ROLLED DOWN AN ADJACENT HILL AND CONTACTED A DITCH. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND RATHER THAN ACCEPT THE LONG LANDING. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3235T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3235T-1990-07-28), registration cancelled 1990-07-28, S/N 17700535 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700535
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ratliff, Gregory E.
- Registered owner: Gregory E Ratliff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: I14, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: K20, East Kentucky Rgnl, runway 24, 3,240 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 198 total, 20 in this make and model, 122 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19900527018989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900527018989A), May 27, 1990: Cessna 177, Hazard, KY, Substantial damage. Elected to land en route due to weather. Landed long,failed to go around and ran off end runway down hill into ditch

## Other investigations on N3235T (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 MKC69F0185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69F0185), Sep 29, 1968: Cessna 177 (N3235T), St.Charles, MO, substantial damage

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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