# NTSB DEN01LA037: Cessna 177, N29572, Las Cruces, NM, December 31, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 2000, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.290725, -106.749938 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2907&lon=-106.7499&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN01LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50871/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA037 ## Probable cause An inadvertent stall. Factors were excessive airspeed, excessive flare, and improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## 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 - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flare - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy ## Analysis The pilot flared for landing 4 to 5 feet above the ground using full flaps. The touch down was smooth but airspeed was above stall and the pilot applied back pressure to keep the nose wheel off the ground. The airplane lifted off, stalled, struck the ground and bounced. The pilot attempted to abort the landing, but the airplane swerved off the left side of the runway into sand and brush. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 2000, approximately 1045 mountain standard time, a Cessna 177, N29572, owned by Aviation Enterprises, Inc., and operated by Mesilla Valley Aviation, both of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain while landing at Las Cruces International Airport, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Las Cruces at 1035. According to the pilot's accident report, he took off and stayed in the traffic pattern with the intention of making a touch and go landing. "My approach was routine and I started my flare 4 to 5 feet above the runway with full flaps," the pilot wrote. "I made a smooth touchdown; however, the airspeed was above stall speed after touchdown. I continued back pressure on the yoke to keep the nose wheel off the ground. The plane became airborne, stalled, came down nose low and bounce. When this happened again, I applied full power and retracted the flaps to abort the landing. The plane ground looped to the left off the runway into sand and brush." The left landing gear collapsed, and the leading edge of the left wing and horizontal stabilator were damaged. The pilot noted that his only previous experience in the Cessna 177 was with an instructor in February 2000. At that time, he logged 7.8 hours. Commenting how the accident could have been avoided, the pilot wrote: "Better piloting. (1) By holding the plane off the runway until it starts to stall. (2) After touchdown, adjust back pressure on yoke more precisely to control roll out." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29572](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29572-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 17700969, 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: 17700969 - Airframe hours: 2550 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mesilla Valley Aviation - Registered owner: Aviation Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2000, 92 hours before - Departed: LRU, Las Cruces, NM - Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International, runway 08, 6,069 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 30, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,013 total, 8 in this make and model, 905 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: LRU ## 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 20001231033519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001231033519A), Dec 31, 2000: Cessna 177, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. (-23)On December 31, 2000, approx. 1101 MST, a Cessna 177 cardinal (N29572) registered to and operated by aviation enterprises, inc., 505 fairacres, NM 88044,… ## Other investigations on N29572 (2) 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 FTW98LA413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA413), Sep 27, 1998: Cessna 177A (N29572), Belen, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane. - [NTSB ANC69A0060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69A0060), May 29, 1969: Cessna 177 (N29572), Goodnews Bay, AK, 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.