# NTSB CEN25LA241: Cessna 177, N29342, Jenison, MI, July 8, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 8, 2025, 11:36 local (15:36 UTC) - Place: Jenison, MI - Coordinates: 42.936612, -85.805401 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9366&lon=-85.8054&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 30, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200493/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200493 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA241 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and clearance from trees during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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 177, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The left-seat pilot reported that during the takeoff rotation, the right-seat pilot unexpectedly manipulated the flight controls and placed the airplane into a “maximum performance climb attitude.” The left-seat pilot immediately released the control yoke and relinquished control of the airplane to the other pilot. The right-seat pilot leveled the airplane and began a shallow left turn before striking trees. The airplane subsequently pitched down and impacted a lake which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The left-seat pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29342](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29342-2026-01-09), registration cancelled 2026-01-09, S/N 17700825, built 1968 (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: 17700825 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 4087 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 2025 - Airport: 08C, Riverview, runway 32, 3,920 × 49 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 670 total, 70 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGRR, 13 nm away - METAR: KGRR 081753Z 26006KT 10SM FEW065 SCT100 27/16 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP179 T02670156 10283 20172 58009= ## 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 20250708008109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250708008109A), Jul 8, 2025: Cessna 177, Jenison, MI, Substantial damage. On July 8th, 2025, at approximately 1342 EDT, a Cessna 177 cardinal aircraft, registered as [privacy data omitted], sustained significant damage during a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200493. 25.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 24.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19406847&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 600 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19406494&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.