# NTSB BFO87LA042: Cessna 177A, N30454, Oakland, MD, June 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1987, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, MD
- Coordinates: 39.410068, -79.409805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4101&lon=-79.4098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER FLYING AROUND FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR TO CHECK OUT SOME RADIOS IN THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. ON SHORT FINAL HE ELECTED TO DO A GO-AROUND AND MIDWAY DOWN RUNWAY 26 HE PUSHED IN CARBURETOR HEAT, ADDED FULL THROTTLE AND DECREASED THE FLAPS. WITH THE WIND OUT OF THE SOUTH THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO VEER TO THE LEFT AND CONTINUED TO SINK. HE THEN REMOVED ANOTHER NOTCH OF FLAPS BUT REALIZED HE COULD NOT CLEAR THE TALL TREES IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT BANKED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH SOME PINE TREES. THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RUN-UP 5 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30454](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30454-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 17701265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A
- Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701265
- Airframe hours: 1956
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F 182 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Garrett Auto Rental Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1987, 43 hours before
- Departed: 2G4
- Destination: 2G4
- Airport: 2G4, Garrett County, runway 26, 2,500 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 140 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870625027029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870625027029A), Jun 25, 1987: Cessna 177A, Oakland, MD, Substantial damage. The aircraft descended into trees during an attempted go around. The pilot retracted the flaps too early.

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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