# NTSB CHI89LA177: Cessna 177B, N30806, Auburn, IN, August 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1989, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, IN
- Location: 41.3677° N, 85.0565° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Auburn, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3677&lon=-85.0565&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA177

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE, SPEED, AND ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH AND HIGH VEGETATION (TALL GRASS & BRUSH) BESIDE THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30806 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701475
- Airframe hours: 3548
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: High Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: High Flying Club Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1989, 88 hours before
- Departed: SMD, FT WAYNE, IN
- Destination: 07C
- Airport: 07C, Dekalb County, runway 9, 3,650 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 18 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 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 19890824033109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890824033109A), Aug 24, 1989: Cessna 177B, Auburn, IN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing and veered off runway into tall grass and brush.

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.