# NTSB CEN11CA123: Cessna 177B, N888VM, Seymour, IN, December 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 6, 2010, 22:30 local (Dec 7, 2010, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Seymour, IN - Coordinates: 38.924446, -85.908332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9244&lon=-85.9083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78044 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78044/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78044 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off with a gusting wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during takeoff from a snow-covered runway at a private airstrip, the airplane encountered a wind gust before striking a fence on the east side of the runway. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff and the airplane landed uneventfully at another airport approximately 5 miles from the private airstrip. The pilot reported that the wind was from 270 degrees at 10 knots and gusting to 15 knots. Examination of the airplane revealed the outboard 8 to 10 inches of the left stabilator was separated. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the takeoff from snow-covered runway 17 at a private airstrip, the airplane encountered a wind gust, and the airplane struck a fence on the east side of the runway. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff, and the airplane landed uneventfully at another airport located approximately 5 miles from the private airstrip. The pilot reported the winds were from 270 degrees at 10 knots and gusting to 15 knots. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the accident by an anonymous caller on December 21, 2010. Examination of the airplane revealed the outboard 8 to 10 inches of the left stabilator was separated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888VM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N888VM), registered now, S/N 17702021, built 1973 (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: 17702021 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Green Gregory E - Registered owner: Green Gregory E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2010 - Departed: 45IN, North Vernon, IN - Destination: SER, Seymour, IN - Airport: 45IN, Aerobatic Practice Airport, runway 17, 2,000 × 50 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 16, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 2,950 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 19 °F ## 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 20101206053969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101206053969A), Dec 6, 2010: Cessna 177B, North Vernon, IN, Substantial damage. The PIC and two passengers departed at night from a lighted private grass airport. The runway was snow covered and the winds were from the west at the time of… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78044. 377 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40341743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.