# NTSB CHI89FA135: Cessna 177, N3146T, Lockport, IL, July 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1989, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Lockport, IL
- Coordinates: 41.579421, -88.040023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5794&lon=-88.0400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA135

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL OR MUSH.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE AIRCRAFT'S EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - attempted, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FROM A 3000 FT RUNWAY WITH A PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD.  AFTER A LONG TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, BUT FAILED TO GAIN NORMAL ALTITUDE.  ONE WITNESS REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED UP & DOWND MOVEMENT OF THE 'STABILATOR' & THAT THE PLANE WAS STARTING TO PORPOISE IN FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A LEFT TURN BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THEN DESCENDED & COLLIDED WITH A MANUFACTURING PLANT. THE AIRCRAFT'S GROSS WEIGHT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 86 LBS OVER THE MAXIMUM CERTIFIED LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3146T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3146T-1990-06-18), registration cancelled 1990-06-18, S/N 17700446 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700446
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James F. Maloney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: LOT, Lewis University, runway 9, 3,000 × 60 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--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,255 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Observed at: ARR, 20 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 19890714022349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890714022349A), Jul 14, 1989: Cessna 177, Romeoville, IL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Over gross nose high on liftoff. Stalled during turn near trees. Hit building and burned.

## Other investigations on N3146T (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW73FRD30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FRD30), May 20, 1973: Cessna 177 (N3146T), New Orleans, LA, substantial damage

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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