# NTSB CHI97LA269: Cessna 177, N29379, Maple Lake, MN, August 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1997, 20:20 local (Aug 24, 1997, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Maple Lake, MN - Coordinates: 45.229907, -93.999008 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2299&lon=-93.9990&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10681 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10681/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA269 ## Probable cause the pilot failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing and his improper recovery from the bounced landing. Factors associated with the accident were the night conditions and the pilot lack of recent experience with night operations. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - night (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot performed one go-around because of excessive airspeed. The pilot reported the nose wheel touched down first during the second landing. The airplane bounced and touched down '...more violently...' a second time. The pilot added full power, removed carburetor heat, and reduced the flaps 10 degrees. The airplane bounced again and he applied full flaps '... to raise the stall speed.' When the airplane did not accelerate he once again reduced the flaps 10 degrees. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway and came to rest in a corn field. Official sunset was 1 hour 11 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot had 3 hours of total night time and was not night current. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1997, at 2020 central daylight time, a Cessna 177, N29379, operated by a private pilot collided with the terrain while attempting an aborted landing on runway 28 (2,796' x 60')at the Maple Lake Municipal Airport, Maple Lake, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Litchfield, Minnesota, at 1950 central daylight time. The pilot reported that he performed a go-around on his first landing attempt because his airspeed was too fast on final approach. On the second landing attempt, he stated the nose wheel touched down first and the airplane bounced. The pilot reported the airplane "...bounced more violently the second time." He reported he added full power, but the engine coughed so he removed the carburetor heat and reduce flaps 10 degrees. He reported the airplane "...hit the runway again and so I gave it full flaps to raise the stall speed. I then waited for acceleration and then reduced flaps 10 degrees again but the airplane was not gaining altitude or speed properly." The airplane veered off the right side of the runway where it touched down in a corn field. Official sunset on the day of the accident was 1909 cdt. The pilot indicated on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that he had a total of 3 hours of night flight time. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was not night current at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29379](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29379), registered now, S/N 17700851, 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: 17700851 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert E. Frappier - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1997 - Departed: 43F, LITCHFIELD, MN - Destination: Y33 - Airport: Y33, Maple Lake, runway 28, 2,800 × 60 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 81 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KLJ, 29 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 19970823023429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970823023429A), Aug 23, 1997: Cessna 177, Maple Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Landed on nose. Porpoised. Varied flaps on go around. Lost lift increased drag settled into cornfield off runway. (-23) the aircraft bounced on landing and the… 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.