# NTSB CEN17CA218: Cessna 177, N30462, Plainwell, MI, May 26, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 26, 2017, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Plainwell, MI
- Coordinates: 42.467777, -85.648056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4678&lon=-85.6481&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17CA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95332/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95332
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA218

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper approach to landing and his failure to perform a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During a local orientation flight, the pilot turned to final approach with "a little too much altitude," but the pilot did not perform a go-around. The airplane landed long down the runway, overran the end of the runway, and impacted a ditch, which damaged the forward fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

During a local orientation flight, the pilot turned final approach with "a little too much altitude", but the pilot did not perform a go-around. The airplane landed long down the runway, overran the end of the runway and impacted a ditch, which damaged the forward fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30462](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30462-2019-05-20), registration cancelled 2019-05-20, S/N 17701270, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 (A)
- Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (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: 17701270
- Year built: 1968
- Airframe hours: 3910
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2017, 10 hours before
- Departed: 61D, Plainwell, MI
- Destination: 61D, Plainwell, MI
- Airport: 61D, Plainwell Municipal Airport, runway 27, 2,650 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 773 total, 98 in this make and model, 736 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 15 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 20170526004579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170526004579A), May 26, 2017: Cessna 177A, Plainwell, MI, Substantial damage. Witness statement " cardinal was circling east of the Plainwell airport approximate altitude 700 AGL . Cardinal was next observed on short final to runway 27…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95332. 898 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 898 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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