# NTSB CHI95LA324: Cessna 177, N3497T, Camp Lake, WI, September 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 16, 1995, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Camp Lake, WI - Location: 42.5347° N, 88.1437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Camp Lake, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5347&lon=-88.1437&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA324 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA324 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the power line, while on short final approach. The downdraft was a related factor. ## 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 - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The airplane encountered an updraft followed by a downdraft while crossing over a barn on short final approach to land. Shortly after crossing over the barn, the airplane began losing altitude. The pilot applied full power, but was unable to arrest the sink rate. The left wing of the airplane contacted and severed a powerline wire. After that, the pilot was unable to maintain runway align, and the airplane touched down on the left edge of the runway with the left wing contacting a corn crop. The airplane then veered into the crop and traveled approximately 60 feet further before coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative On September 16, 1995, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 177, N3497T, collided with a powerline on final approach to land at Camp Lake Airstrip, Camp Lake, Wisconsin, while on a personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight originated from Camp Lake, Wisconsin, at 1440 cdt. The pilot reported that while on final approach for runway 18, with 1/4 flaps at 80 mph, the airplane passed over a barn. He reported that the airplane gained 20 to 30 feet of altitude while over the barn and developed a sink rate once past the barn. He stated he applied full power but the sink rate could not be arrested. The pilot continued to report, "Level flight was regained and a climb initiated but could not avoid the utility wire." The left wing of the airplane contacted and severed the powerline. According to the pilot, the airplane entered a nose high attitude and became aligned with the left side of the runway which was bordered by a corn crop. The pilot reported that in an attempt to compensate for the heading, the airplane banked 45 degrees and was now headed toward the right side of the runway. The pilot reported he "corrected again and regained level flight at very low altitude over the crop field... ." He stated that upon touchdown, the left wing was contacting the corn crop and the airplane veered left into the corn, traveling approximately 60 feet prior to coming to rest. The pilot stated he could have prevented the accident by using a steeper approach angle, carrying extra airspeed during the approach, and by landing 200 to 300 feet further down the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3497T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3497T), registered now, S/N 17700797, built 1968 (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: 17700797 - Airframe hours: 1835 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael T. Mansfield - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1995, 16 hours before - Departed: 49C - Airport: C49, Camp Lake, runway 18, 2,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 382 total, 224 in this make and model, 310 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950916029839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950916029839A), Sep 16, 1995: Cessna 177, Huntley, IL, Substantial damage. High sink rate on final. Hit telphone wire with gear. Veered off into corn field landing. Inadequate compensation. (-23) the pilot was on final approach to… 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.