# NTSB CEN10LA103: Cessna 177RG, N53120, Cedar Rapids, IA, January 17, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 16, 2010, 19:40 local (Jan 17, 2010, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Cedar Rapids, IA - Coordinates: 41.884723, -91.71083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8847&lon=-91.7108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-DSM-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75290 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75290/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75290 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA103 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while flying an instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in actual instrument conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 190 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total instrument experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR final approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot's original destination was below weather minimums so he diverted to another airport. He flew the approach to runway 9 with one receiver/navigational unit tuned to the global positioning system (GPS) approach and one tuned to the instrument landing system (ILS) approach. He reported that he began getting conflicting information between the GPSs so he executed a missed approach. The pilot reported that during the second approach he had trouble maintaining the glideslope and he had to keep adding power to maintain a proper descent rate. He then received erratic information and needle oscillations on both glideslope indicators. The pilot stated that he was at full power, so he did not have additional power in order to climb for a missed approach. The pilot believes that the left wing stalled about 600 feet above the ground. He stated that he was in “some kind of spin” or unusual attitude with the “nose slightly downward and tilted slightly to the left.” The pilot reported that the last memory he has prior to impact was pulling up. The airplane impacted the terrain in an open field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. Radar data indicated that from the time the airplane was established on the approach up until the last minute of data available, the aircraft’s ground track varied from 97 degrees to 70 degrees, with a descent rate of approximately 500 feet per minute. The airplane’s rate of descent during the last 46 seconds of radar data increased to about 800 feet per minute and the heading changed from 95 degrees to 119 degrees, then to 13 degrees. The approaches were checked after the accident with no anomalies found. The pilot received his instrument rating two weeks prior to the accident. He reported having about 5 hours of actual instrument flight time and about 72 hours of simulated instrument flight time. ## Factual narrative On January 16, 2010, at 1940 central standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N53120, collided with the terrain approximately one-half mile west of the airport while on the instrument landing system (ILS) runway 09 approach at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The private instrument rated pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The airplane received substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating on and instrument flight plan in instrument meteorological conditions. The flight originated from the Clermont County Airport (I69), Batavia, Ohio, at 1705 eastern standard time. The original destination for the flight was the Monticello Regional Airport (MXO), Monticello, Iowa. While en route, it was determined that MXO was below weather minimums so the flight diverted to CID. The pilot reported the airplane had two Garmin 530s, a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), and the global positioning system (GPS) steering was slaved to the autopilot. He stated he had one receiver/navigation unit tuned to the GPS runway 9 approach and the other tuned to the ILS runway 9 approach. He stated that with the autopilot he can select course via the GPS or the heading bug. The pilot stated that during the approach he began receiving conflicting information between the GPS and the ILS. He then noticed that he lost the receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) system. The pilot initiated a missed approach and climbed back into visual meteorological conditions where he received vectors for a second approach. The pilot reported he began the inbound leg of the second approach with both the GPS and the ILS in agreement. He stated he had trouble maintaining the glideslope and he had to keep adding power to maintain a proper descent rate. The pilot stated the top glideslope indicator began displaying erratic information with the glideslope needle rapidly changing from a full up deflection to a full down deflection. The pilot stated he was at full power at this point, so he did not have additional power in order to climb for a missed approach. He stated the bottom ILS indication was more stable, but it too began showing “…oscillating vertical deflections.” The pilot stated that at an altitude of approximately 600 feet above the ground, he felt the right wing rise, which he believes was a result of the left wing stalling. He stated the directional gyro then indicated that he was in a left turn, which he tried to correct, but could not. He stated he was in “some kind of spin” or unusual attitude with the “nose slightly downward and tilted slightly to the left.” The pilot reported the last memory he has prior to impact was pulling up. The airplane impacted the terrain in an open field. Air traffic control radar data indicated from the time the airplane was established on the approach up until the last minute of data available, the aircraft’s ground track varied from 97 degrees to 70degrees, with a descent rate of approximately 500 feet per minute. The airplane’s rate of descent during the last 46 seconds of radar data, increased to about 800 feet per minute and the heading changed from 95 degrees to 119 degrees, then to 13 degrees. The pilot received his instrument pilot rating approximately 2 weeks prior to the accident. He reported having about 5 hours of actual instrument experience and 72 hours of simulated instrument experience. Following the accident both the ILS and GPS approaches were flight checked by the Federal Aviation Administration and no discrepancies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53120](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53120-2010-03-10), registration cancelled 2010-03-10, S/N 177RG1349, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG1349 - Airframe hours: 4666 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fisher Philip - Registered owner: Fisher Philip - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2009 - Departed: I69, Batavia, OH - Destination: CID, Cedar Rapids, IA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CID, Eastern Iowa ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 2, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 341 total, 107 in this make and model, 269 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: CID ## 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 20100116026299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100116026299A), Jan 16, 2010: Cessna 177RG, Cedar Rapids, IA, Substantial damage. The pilot received his instrument rating 2 weeks prior to the accident. The pilot received a weather breifing from flight service just prior to departure from… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75290. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 980 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Interviews (item 2, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interviews-Master.PDF - Linn County Sheriff's Report (item 3, .PDF, 352 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325938&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Linn%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Report-Master.PDF - Department of Public Safety Report (item 4, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Department%20of%20Public%20Safety%20Report-Master.PDF - FAA Radar Data (item 5, .PDF, 947 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Radar%20Data-Master.PDF - GPS Data (item 6, .PDF, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=GPS%20Data-Master.PDF 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.