# NTSB ATL90LA152: Cessna 177, N3184T, Windsor, NC, July 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1990, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Windsor, NC
- Coordinates: 36.000495, -76.939712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0005&lon=-76.9397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA152

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE FLARE PHASE OF THE APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION ON FINAL CAUSED BY THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY IN THE VICINITY OF THE LANDING AREA. THE PILOT DID NOT COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A NORMAL FULL STOP LANDING AT A PRIVATE SOD AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND DURING THE FLARE PHASE OF THE APPROACH. THE LEFT WING DIPPED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TOBACCO PLANTS ADJACENT TO THE LANDING STRIP. THE PILOT COULD NOT RECOVER FROM THE LEFT WING LOW CONDITION. THE PILOT REPORTED THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS NEAR THE AIRFIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3184T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3184T-1992-07-24), registration cancelled 1992-07-24, S/N 17700484 (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: 17700484
- Airframe hours: 3105
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earl M. Castelloe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1989, 47 hours before
- Airport: Todds, runway 12, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 82 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWI, 30 nm away

## 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 19900729028969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900729028969A), Jul 29, 1990: Cessna 177, Windsor, NC, Substantial damage. Caught a gust of wind from nearby thunderstorm. Drifted sideways,tried to go around,caught wing in tobacco. Crashed

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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