# NTSB DEN89FA093: Cessna 177RG, N2972X, Albuquerque, NM, March 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1989, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.179977, -106.590744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1800&lon=-106.5907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17584
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17584/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF FLAPS DURING TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED, A STALL, AND LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - roll/run
  - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - raising of flaps - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SURVIVING PAX SAID ACFT BANKED STEEPLY TO LEFT AFTER TAKEOFF AND SHUDDERED. HE SAW PLT REACH FOR FLAP CONTROL HANDLE. PAX REMEMBERED HORN BLOWING IN BACKGROUND. WITNESSES SAID ACFT SPEED AND CLIMB RATE WERE SLOW AND SAW ACFT WOBBLE AND DIP WINGS. ONE WITNESS, IN LINE WITH ACFT TAKEOFF PATH, SAW FLAPS BEING RETRACTED SLIGHTLY. EXAMINATION OF WRECKAGE DISCLOSED FLAP JACKSCREW EXTENDED 10 THREADS OR 1.66 INCHES, EQUIVALENT TO APRX 14 DEG FLAPS DOWN. MANUFACTURER SUGGESTS TAKE OFF WITH FLAPS UP OR 1/4 (7.5 DEG) DOWN. PLT WAS KNOWN TO HAVE HABIT OF STARTING TAKEOFF ROLL WITH FLAPS UP AND, AS LIFTOFF SPEED WAS ATTAINED, TO 'SLAP' FLAP HANDLE DOWN TO DETENT (1/4 OR 7.5 DEG SETTING). EXPERIMENTATION LATER SHOWED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO SLAP FLAP HANDLE INADVERTENTLY PAST DETENT OR FULL DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2972X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2972X-2017-07-03), registration cancelled 2017-07-03, S/N 17700372, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- 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: 177000372
- Airframe hours: 1624
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jay E. Wetzel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1988, 15 hours before
- Departed: 4AC
- Destination: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: 4AC, Coronado, runway 17, 4,010 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,700 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 8 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 19890325004479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890325004479A), Mar 25, 1989: Cessna 177RG, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled on climbout and crashed. Had habit of bumping flaps down to first notch. This time to full down then dumped

## Other investigations on N2972X (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 CHI69D0314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0314), Oct 12, 1968: Cessna 177 (N2972X), So.Branch, MI, 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.

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