# NTSB CHI90LA279: Cessna 177B, N35014, Kokomo, IN, September 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1990, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Kokomo, IN
- Coordinates: 40.530502, -86.16996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5305&lon=-86.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14787
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14787/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA279

## Probable cause

EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE RECOVERING FROM A LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF AN INEXPERIENCED PILOT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION BY THE SECOND PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - spatial disorientation, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - spiral - encountered, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Abrupt maneuver, descent
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A SECOND PILOT WHO WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED WAS FLYING UNDER THE HOOD IN VMC CONDITIONS AT 6000 FEET ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND TOLD HIM TO TURN RIGHT TO AVOID A THUNDERSTORM. THE SECOND PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED IN THE TURN, AND ENTERED A SPIRALLING DESCENT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TOOK CONTROL AND OVERSTRESSED THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE RECOVERY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN TO THE INTENDED DESTINATION AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. WING DEFORMATION AND BENT SPAR WAS DISCOVERED ON PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BEFORE THE NEXT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N35014 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702158
- Airframe hours: 1140
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jw & Jw, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1990, 25 hours before
- Departed: JXN, JACKSON, MI
- Destination: I14, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 700 total, 8 in this make and model, 545 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUS, 10 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 19900912052059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900912052059A), Sep 12, 1990: Cessna 177B, Kokomo, IN, Substantial damage. Had second VFR pilot under hood. Lost control in turbulence near thunderstorm. Bent wings on high speed pullout.

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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