# NTSB ERA10CA388: Cessna 177B, N34641, Middleberry, VT, August 1, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 1, 2010, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Middleberry, VT
- Coordinates: 44.044986, -72.710472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0450&lon=-72.7105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA388
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76809/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76809
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA388

## Probable cause

The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he performed a run-up and proceeded to the departure end of the runway. He applied full power and began the takeoff roll. With the airplane about halfway down the runway, the pilot realized that the airplane was not developing as much airspeed as he expected. As the airplane approached the end of the runway, he decided to abort the takeoff. He pulled back the throttle and applied the brakes but the airplane did not slow down quickly enough. The airplane ran off the end of the runway, traveled down an embankment, and came to rest in a marshy area, substantially damaging the forward section of the fuselage. The pilot noted that he had forgotten to set the flaps properly for takeoff. During a postaccident examination of the wreckage, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he performed a “normal” run-up and proceeded to the departure end of runway 19, a 2,500-foot runway. The pilot stated that he felt rushed because he taxied onto the runway before declaring his intentions. He delayed the announcement of his departure due to another airplane transmitting over the common traffic advisory frequency. After the other pilot’s transmission, he applied full power and began the takeoff roll. He stated that about halfway down the runway, the airplane was not developing as much airspeed as he expected. The Owner’s Manual stated that the rotation speed was 60 mph, however, the pilot stated that he was waiting for 70 mph to rotate. The pilot also noted that he was coming to the end of the runway and decided to abort the takeoff. He pulled back the throttle and applied the brakes but the airplane was not slowing “quickly enough.” The pilot attempted to turn the airplane to the right but was unable to do so. The airplane ran off the end of the runway, traveled down an embankment, and came to rest in a marshy area, substantially damaging the forward section of the fuselage. The pilot noted in his statement that he “forgot to set the flaps properly for takeoff.” The Owner’s Manual stated that the “preferred” flap setting for takeoff was 10 degrees. During a subsequent examination of the wreckage, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at an airport 26 miles northeast of the accident location, about the time of the accident, were from 120 degrees at 3 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34641](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34641-2010-08-26), registration cancelled 2010-08-26, S/N 17701918, built 1973 (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&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701918
- Airframe hours: 2607
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2010
- Departed: 6B0, Middleberry, VT
- Destination: FIT, Fitchburg, MA
- Airport: 6B0, Middlebury State Airport, runway 19, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 18, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 417 total, 307 in this make and model, 333 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: MPV, 26 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 20100801055459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100801055459A), Aug 1, 2010: Cessna 177B, Middlebury, VT, Substantial damage. Investigation revealed that the pilot performed a normal run-up which indicated all of the airplanes systems were functioning normally. Pilot overlooked two…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76809. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 527 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Federal Aviation Administration Inspector Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports: MPV METARs (item 3, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%3A%20MPV%20METARs-Master.PDF
- Excerpts from Cessna Model 177 Pilot Operating Handbook (Takeoff Procedures) (item 4, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Cessna%20Model%20177%20Pilot%20Operating%20Handbook%20(Takeoff%20Procedures)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #1 - Wreckage where it came to rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 457 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%20-%20Wreckage%20where%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #2 - View of entire airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%20-%20View%20of%20entire%20airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #3 - View of cockpit (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 270 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%233%20-%20View%20of%20cockpit%20(Courtesy%20of%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.

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