# NTSB CHI90LA173: Cessna C177B, N20126, Northport, MI, July 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1990, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Northport, MI
- Coordinates: 45.129306, -85.60968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1293&lon=-85.6097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA173

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE LANDING, AND THE AIRCRAFT'S RESULTANT INADEQUATE CLEARANCE/ALTITUDE AND IMPACT WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LANDED LONG AND FAST ON A SHORT, GRASS RUNWAY WITH A SLIGHT DOWNSLOPE. HE DECIDED HE 'WOULDN'T GET STOPPED BEFORE HITTING AN EARTHWORK DAM (LOCATED) NORTH OF THE RUNWAY END.' HE ATTEMPTED TO GO-AROUND, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR SOME TREES IN THE WOODED AREA OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST, NOSE UP, IN THE HEAVILY WOODED AREA. THE PILOT STATED THAT 'AN EARLIER DECISION TO ABORT WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THE ACCIDENT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20126](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20126-1997-07-24), registration cancelled 1997-07-24, S/N 17702632 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702632
- Airframe hours: 526
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1FD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lanham, Theodore J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1990, 17 hours before
- Departed: TVC, TRAVERSE CITY, MI
- Airport: 5D5, Woolsey Memorial, runway 34, 2,650 × 140 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 878 total, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 26 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 19900710024759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900710024759A), Jul 10, 1990: Cessna 177B, Northport, MI, Destroyed. Too fast and long on short grass strip. Elected to go around too late and struck trees off departure end.

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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