# NTSB CEN14LA451: Cessna 177, N3202T, Gordonville, TX, August 23, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 2014, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Gordonville, TX - Coordinates: 33.839443, -96.808891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8394&lon=-96.8089&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Textron Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 89942 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA451 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89942/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89942 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA451 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control during a crosswind landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 177, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [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 177, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he flew a visual approach with a left crosswind to a turf runway. As the airplane descended below a tree line, the wind decreased, and the airplane drifted left during the landing roll. The pilot applied right rudder, but the airplane did not respond. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted multiple trees. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. After the accident, the pilot stated that he believed the passenger's foot might have blocked the rudder pedals. The accident is consistent with a loss of directional control during a crosswind landing. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 2014, about 1015 central daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, N3202T, impacted trees during landing rollout at Cedar Mills Airport (3T0), Gordonville, Texas. The pilot and front seat passenger were seriously injured and the two rear seat passengers received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Lakeview Airport (30F), Lake Dallas, Texas about 0945. The pilot stated that during a visual approach to Runway 25 at 3T0 he utilized left aileron and right rudder control inputs, based on a crosswind from the south. As the airplane descended below a tree line, the wind decreased and the airplane drifted to the left. During touchdown and rollout on the turf runway, the airplane continued to drift to the left. The pilot attempted to input right rudder, but felt like his input was not having any effect. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and impacted multiple trees. Examination of the airplane revealed extensive damage to both wings and the fuselage. After the accident, the pilot stated that the lack of rudder effect may have been due to the front seat passenger's foot blocking a rudder pedal. At 1015 the weather observation station at North Texas Regional Airport (GYI), Denison, Texas, located about 10 miles southeast of the accident site, reported the following conditions: wind 200 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 31 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 17 degrees C, altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury. Examination of the airplane revealed normal flight control continuity. The pilot seat was found fully engaged on the rails and locked in position. No secondary seat stop was observed. The front passenger seat was displaced to the left and separated from the rails. The aft bench was secured to the floor. All seat restraint belts were still attached to the corresponding structure and no torn stitches were observed. There airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3202T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3202T-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 17700502, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700502 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 2966 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 2013 - Departed: 30F, Lake Dallas, TX - Destination: 3T0, Gordonville, TX - Airport: 3T0, Cedar Mills Airport, runway 25, 3,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 25, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 289 total, 73 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KGYI, 10 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 20140823017019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140823017019A), Aug 23, 2014: Cessna 177, Gordonville, TX, Substantial damage. On August 23, 2014, about 1015 central daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, N3202T, impacted trees during landing rollout at Cedar Mills Airport (3T0),… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89942. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Certification of Party Representative (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representative-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Accident Airplane (item 3, .PDF, 681 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Accident%20Airplane-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.