# NTSB CHI85LA117: Cessna 177RG, N8ME, Janesville, WI, February 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1985, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Janesville, WI
- Coordinates: 42.679695, -89.010047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6797&lon=-89.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA117

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK DURING LNDG. AN INVESTIGATION BY A QUALIFIED A&P MECH FOUND THE LOCK-O-SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD IMPROPER CLEARANCE. LACK OF PROPER CLEARENCE RESTRICTED RETURN FLOW OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE RESERVOIR. THIS LED TO LOCKING OF THE BRAKE ON THE LEFT MAIN LNDG GEAR AND A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8ME-1992-11-16), registration cancelled 1992-11-16, S/N 177RG0630 (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: 177RG0630
- Airframe hours: 1483
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A160 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Domres
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1984, 514 hours before
- Departed: DPA, WEST CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: JVL, JANESVILLE, WI
- Airport: JVL, Rock Co., runway 31, 5,396 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,105 total, 7 in this make and model, 1,025 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JVL

## 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 19850217006729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850217006729A), Feb 17, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Janesville, WI, Substantial damage. Collided with snowbank on landing due to locked brake. Lock o seal in master cylinder had insufficient clearance.

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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