# NTSB CHI91LA153: Cessna 177, N3345T, Decatur, IN, May 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1991, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IN
- Coordinates: 40.830772, -84.919624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8308&lon=-84.9196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA153

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO OBTAIN AIRSPEED FOR POSITIVE LIFT OFF AND CLIMB.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GRASS/SOD RUNWAY AND A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## 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
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM THE SHORT, SOD STRIP, THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO ATTAIN POSITIVE LIFT OFF/CLIMB SPEED AND SETTLED BACK TO THE TERRAIN.  THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 84 DEGREES, AND THE VEGETATION ON THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 5 TO 6 INCHES TALL.  THE HORIZONTAL STABILATOR SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  POST ACCIDNET INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3345T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3345T), registered now, S/N 17700645, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700645
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clark Smith/ Ralph Biggs
- Airport: C42, Gage, runway 18, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- 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 19910512020299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910512020299A), May 12, 1991: Cessna STC177, Decatur, IN, Substantial damage. Over rotated too slow on climbout. Impacted in adjacent field. Short unmowed strip and hot day factors.

## Other investigations on N3345T (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 CHI69A0002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69A0002), Jul 2, 1968: Cessna 177 (N3345T), Pikeville, KY, 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.

---
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.