# NTSB CHI93LA284: Cessna 177RG, N1850Q, Columbus, IN, July 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 1993, 21:30 local (Jul 26, 1993, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Columbus, IN - Coordinates: 39.229209, -85.830299 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2292&lon=-85.8303&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA284 ## Probable cause the pilot in command's failure to maintain proper clearance. A factor involved in this accident is the pilot in command's failure to maintain a proper glidepath. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Gear not extended, landing ## Analysis AFTER EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL DIFFICULTIES, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO GREENSBURG-DECATUR, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A POWER LINE WITH ITS RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR, DAMAGING ITS LOCKING MECHANISM. THE PILOT DIVERTED TO NEAR-BY COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL AND MADE AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING ON TWO GEAR. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1993, at 2130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N185OQ, registered to Steven K. Weber of Greensburg, Indiana, and piloted by a commercial pilot, while executing a VFR approach to runway 18 (3,433' x 40' dry/asphalt), collided with a power line. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a IFR flight plan was filed. The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR part 91. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot and three passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Talladega, Alabama, at 1800. Enroute to Greensburg, Indiana, the pilot encountered a slight discharge in the ammeter. While trying to trouble shoot, the pilot observed a larger discharge when turning on the landing light. The pilot stated that he turned off all unnecessary equipment, cancelled IFR and continued VFR to Greensburg. With diminished electrical power, Don Yager,a commercial pilot, assumed command for the landing. According to the pilot, as the landing gear was placed in the down position, the battery voltage dropped and the lights dimmed. The crew elected to continue hand pumping the landing gear into the down and locked position. On final approach for runway 18, Greensburg-Decatur County Airport, the right main collided with a power line. Due to impact damage of the right gear down lock mechanism, the right main landing gear was unable to be locked in the down position. The pilot declared an emergency and diverted to Columbus Municipal Airport. With the nose wheel and left main gear down and locked, and the right main in a trail position, the pilot made and uneventful lading on two gear. The empennage and tail surfaces sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1850Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1850Q), registered now, S/N 177RG0250, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RGO250 - Airframe hours: 2012 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven K. Weber - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1992, 56 hours before - Departed: ASN, TALLADEGA, AL - Destination: I34, GREENSBURG, IN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: I34, Greensburg-Decatur County, runway 18, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,248 total, 132 in this make and model, 3,106 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BAK ## 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 19930725025369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930725025369A), Jul 25, 1993: Cessna 177RG, Greensburg, IN, Substantial damage. Electrical problems impacted powerline landing. Remained aloft. Impact damaged gear downlock. Diverted to I34. 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.