# NTSB ATL93LA124: Cessna 177, N29499, Atlanta, GA, July 5, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1993, 09:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.739727, -84.569351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7397&lon=-84.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA124

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO PORPOISE. HE ADDED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND. AFTER ADDING POWER, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A DITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 1993, at about 0925 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N29499 was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a landing attempt at Fulton County Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The aircraft departed Peachtree City, Georgia at about 0830, and was enroute to Atlanta, Georgia at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he landed hard and the aircraft bounced. He stated that the aircraft began to porpoise, and he added full power in a go-around attempt. The aircraft veered off to the left, and impacted a ditch on the left side of the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29499 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700895
- Airframe hours: 2377
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Perry A. Ragsdale
- Registered owner: Loyd A James
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1993, 27 hours before
- Departed: FFC, PEACHTREE CITY, GA
- Airport: FTY, Fulton County Airport, runway 8, 5,795 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 5 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY

## 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 19930705022089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930705022089A), Jul 5, 1993: Cessna 177, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Porpoised landing. Tried execute go around but lost control. Impacted a ditch off side of runway.

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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