# NTSB ERA12CA020: Cessna 177B, N34218, Honesdale, PA, October 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2011, 11:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Honesdale, PA - Coordinates: 41.515277, -75.251388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5153&lon=-75.2514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82032 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82032/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82032 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA020 ## Probable cause The pilot’s excessive airspeed during final approach and his delayed decision to abort the landing, resulting in the in-flight collision with trees during the go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, while on final approach to the 2,420-foot-long, dry, asphalt runway with the flaps set to 30 degrees (full down), the airplane was a little too fast at 85 to 90 mph, instead of 70 mph. He stated that he did not perceive that the airplane floated over the runway but that, after touchdown, he realized there was insufficient runway remaining to stop. He added power to go around, raised the flaps incrementally, and continued ahead, but the airplane collided with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot stated that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane and that the accident could have been avoided by being on speed. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he proceeded to the destination airport and entered the traffic pattern for runway 36, which is a 2,420 foot-long asphalt runway that was dry. While on final approach with the flaps set to 30 degrees (full down) he reported that he was a little too fast (85 to 90 miles-per-hour) instead of 70 miles-per-hour. He stated that he did not perceive to float over the runway but after touchdown, he realized there was insufficient runway remaining to stop. He added power to go-around and raised the flaps incrementally; the engine responded. He continued ahead and while airborne, the airplane collided with trees. He confirmed there was nothing mechanically wrong with the airplane, and further stated that the accident could have been avoided by being on-speed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34218](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34218-2012-05-21), registration cancelled 2012-05-21, S/N 17701712, built 1972 (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: 17701712 - Airframe hours: 2222 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gilbert Jeffrey S - Registered owner: Gilbert Jeffrey S - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2010 - Departed: MSV, Monticello, NY - Destination: N30, Honesdale, PA - Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge Airport, runway 36, 2,420 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 100 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: MSV, 23 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 20111010023149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111010023149A), Oct 10, 2011: Cessna 177B, Honesdale, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he attempted landing rwy 36 and was high and fast on approach. Touched down beyond the first 1/3 of rwy 36. Was late in attempting go-around and… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82032. 408 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by TML Aircraft, Inc. View of the right side of the airplane depicting the structural damage to the empennage, and damage to the leading edge of the left wing and also to the engine cowling near the firewall. (item 4, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20TML%20Aircraft,%20Inc.%20View%20of%20the%20right%20side%20of%20the%20airplane%20depicting%20the%20structural%20damage%20to%20the%20empennage,%20and%20damage%20to%20the%20leading%20edge%20of%20the%20left%20wing%20and%20also%20to%20the%20engine%20cowling%20near%20the%20firewall.-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.