# NTSB CHI97LA291: Cessna 177B, N34829, Oxford, IA, September 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1997, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Oxford, IA - Coordinates: 41.720081, -91.780227 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7201&lon=-91.7802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10700 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA291 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10700/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA291 ## Probable cause the instructor pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors were the improper flare by the dual student and the instructor pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The private pilot was receiving a checkout in the airplane. This was the first experience both he and the instructor pilot had in this type of airplane. The private pilot was flying the airplane when it ballooned during the landing flare, and the instructor attempted to take over control. He was unable to regain control and during the resulting hard landing, the nosewheel collapsed. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1997, at 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N34829, flown by an instructor checking out a private pilot in the type of airplane, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing. Neither pilot reported any injuries. The instructor pilot said that the airplane porpoised on landing and came down hard on the nose landing gear. The instructional 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight departed at 1400. The instructor pilot said that the pilot getting checked out was operating the controls of the airplane during the approach. He said that during the flare, the airplane ballooned and he took the controls, but "failed to gain control." He said the airplane "stalled," bounced, and the nosewheel collapsed. Neither pilot indicated any mechanical malfunction prior to the accident. The accident flight was the initial flight in this type of airplane for both the pilot getting checked out and the instructor pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34829](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34829), registered now, S/N 17702029, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177B - Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17702029 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Green Castle Aero Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1996 - Departed: IA24 - Airport: IA24, Green Castle, runway 33, 2,500 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 396 total, 31 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## Other investigations on N34829 (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 IAD76DID35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76DID35), Jul 12, 1976: Cessna 177 (N34829), Danville, VA, 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.