# NTSB CHI90LA071: Cessna 177B, N34860, Acme, MI, January 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1990, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Acme, MI
- Coordinates: 44.760448, -85.400131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7604&lon=-85.4001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA071

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE TO THE RUNWAY, AND THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) FAILED TO ATTAIN REMEDIAL ACTION, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CFI'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION AND THE SNOWBANK.

## 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, dual student (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR & STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT THEY WERE PRACTICING A NO FLAP APPROACH, WHEN THE AIRPLANE SETTLED TO THE GROUND EARLIER THAN INTENDED AND COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK BEFORE REACHING THE RUNWAY. THE WHEEL FROM THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR CAME OFF, WHEN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE SNOWBANK. THE AIRPLANE THEN SETTLED ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE CFI HAD 41 HOURS TOTAL EXPERIENCE AS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34860](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34860), registered now, S/N 17702051, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (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: 17702051
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: John N. Bech
- Airport: Y17, Acme Skyport, runway 36, 2,320 × 130 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 923 total, 16 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Observed at: TVC, 25 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 19900120000989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900120000989A), Jan 20, 1990: Cessna 177B, Acme, MI, Substantial damage. Downdraft reported on short final caused high sink rate. Right wheel severed by striking snowbank short of runway.

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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