# NTSB ERA09CA425: Cessna 177, N2980X, Towanda, PA, July 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2009, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Towanda, PA - Coordinates: 41.740001, -76.447219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7400&lon=-76.4472&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74391 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA425 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74391/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74391 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA425 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during a go around following a bounced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was slightly high on the final approach for landing on the 4,300-foot long by 75-foot wide runway. He retained a slight amount of power for the flare, but the airplane impacted the runway and bounced. The pilot decided to go around after an additional bounce, and he applied full power and retracted the flaps incrementally from full flaps to 30 degrees, then to 15 degrees, and finally to 0 degrees. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a sign, a taxiway light and a runway edge light approximately 2,300 feet beyond the approach threshold. It descended an embankment located approximately 65 feet from the runway centerline and impacted rocks. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane noted damage to the firewall and the left wing. The pilot told the inspector that the airplane functioned normally, with no mechanical problems. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, the airplane was slightly high on the final approach for landing on the 4,300-foot long by 75-foot wide runway. He retained a slight amount of power for the flare, but the airplane impacted the runway and bounced. The pilot decided to go around after an additional bounce, and he applied full power and retracted the flaps incrementally from full flaps to 30 degrees, then to 15 degrees, and finally to 0 degrees. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a sign, a taxiway light and a runway edge light approximately 2,300 feet beyond the approach threshold. It descended an embankment located approximately 65 feet from the runway centerline and impacted rocks. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane noted damage to the firewall and the left wing. The pilot told the inspector that the airplane functioned normally, with no mechanical problems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2980X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2980X-2009-09-29), registration cancelled 2009-09-29, S/N 17700380, built 1967 (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: 17700380 - Airframe hours: 5689 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul E. Dion - Registered owner: Paul E. Dion - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 2008, 70 hours before - Departed: BAF, Westfield, MA - Destination: N27, Towanda, PA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: N27, Bradford County Airport, runway 23, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 65 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KELM, 32 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 20090727048239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090727048239A), Jul 27, 2009: Cessna 177, Bradford, PA, Destroyed. Pilot elected to abort landing. During go-around aircraft stalled and impacted rock filled culvert located 50 feet off left side of runway. Aircraft destroyed.… ## Other investigations on N2980X (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 NYC68F0403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0403), Mar 6, 1968: Cessna 177 (N2980X), Windsor Lock, CT, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74391. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317695&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Go Around Climb Procedure from 1969 Cessna Model 177 and Cardinal Owner's Manual (item 5, .PDF, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Go%20Around%20Climb%20Procedure%20from%201969%20Cessna%20Model%20177%20and%20Cardinal%20Owner%27s%20Manual-Master.PDF - Take-off Data from 1969 Cessna Model 177 and Cardinal Owner's Manual (item 6, .PDF, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Take-off%20Data%20from%201969%20Cessna%20Model%20177%20and%20Cardinal%20Owner%27s%20Manual-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Overall View of Damage ( Courtesy FAA.). (item 7, .PDF, 479 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317592&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Overall%20View%20of%20Damage%20(%20Courtesy%20FAA.).-Master.PDF 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.