# NTSB ATL91LA100: Cessna 177B, N19823, Huntsville, AL, May 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1991, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Location: 34.6372° N, 86.7751° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HUNTSVILLE INTL-CARL T JONES FLD (HSV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6372&lon=-86.7751&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMOVE THE CONTROL LOCK PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING FLIGHT AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE 'BEFORE TAKEOFF' CHECKLIST.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER SHUTDOWN A BOLT WAS USED AS A FLIGHT CONTROL LOCK ON THE YOKE.  IT WAS NOT FLAGGED.  THE FLAGGED CONTROL LOCK PIN HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN MISPLACED.  WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPLANE ON MONDAY HE FAILED TO REMOVE THE BOLT DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.  HE TAXIED TO THE RUNUP AREA & NOTED THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR HAD NOT ERECTED. HE SKIPPED TO THE ENGINE RUNUP ON THE CHECKLIST & FAILED TO CHECK THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.  DURING THE TAKEOFF THE BOLT WAS REMEMBERED.  HE TRIED TO REMOVE THE BOLT, THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, HE RETARDED THE THROTTLE.  THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN & THE AIRPLANE HIT THE RWY NOSE GEAR FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19823](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19823-2012-08-20), registration cancelled 2012-08-20, S/N 17702604, 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: 17702604
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Young, Roy M
- Destination: ABY, ALBANY, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HSV, Huntsville International, runway 36, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,043 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,868 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 1 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 19910527020289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910527020289A), May 27, 1991: Cessna 177B, Huntsville, AL, Substantial damage. Used bolt for control lock. Overlooked prior takeoff. Aborted after liftoff hit runway nose first. Crushed firewall

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.