- Date
- May 28, 1998, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place
- Tocsin, IN
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N1849QCessna 177RG
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 19, 1999
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19980528020729A
- Case key
- 10897
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to obtain adequate airspeed during the takeoff climb and the resulting inadvertant stall. A factor in the accident was the pilot's premature raising of the flaps.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated the engine was running normally, but the airplane did not seem to want to climb during the takeoff. The pilot stated he raised the landing gear near the end of the runway at which time the stall horn activated. He then raised the flaps from 10 degrees to fully retracted and made a turn to avoid wires ahead of him. He stated the airplane then 'mushed' into the terrain. Post accident inspection of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any reason why the airplane would not have been capable of obtaining a normal rate of climb during the takeoff.
Factual narrative
On May 28, 1998, at 1830 eastern standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N1849Q, operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged after impacting the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Lazy K Airstrip, near Tocsin, Indiana. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was on file. The planned local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported the engine run-up and takeoff were normal. He stated the engine was running normally, but the airplane did not seem to want to climb. The pilot stated he raised the landing gear near the end of the runway at which time the stall horn activated. He then raised the flaps from 10 degrees to fully retracted and made a turn to avoid wires ahead of him. He stated the airplane then "mushed" into the terrain.
Post accident inspection of the airplane and engine by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, South Bend, Indiana, Flight Standards District Office failed to reveal any reason why the airplane would not have been capable of obtaining a normal rate of climb during the takeoff. The airplane impacted the terrain approximately 1,300 feet from the end of the runway.
The 1972 Cessna 177RG Owner's Manual states stall speed of 66 miles per hour (MPH) with flaps up, power off and a stall speed of 57 MPH with flaps extended , power off. Takeoff procedures state to climb out at 75 to 85 MPH after which time the landing gear and flaps should be retracted. The maximum performance takeoff procedures state that flaps should not be retracted until "accelerating to at least 80 MPH."
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1849Q
- Reported as
- Cessna 177RG
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 177RG0249
- Airframe hours
- 2,770
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-360, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Gary W. Koepke
- Last inspection
- Annual · November 18, 1997 · 50 hours before
- Departed
- 0IN2
- Destination
- 0IN2
- Airport
- Lazy K, runway 18, 2,900 × 100 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 192 total · 14 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 250° at 17 knots
- Visibility
- 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- FWA, 10 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.