# NTSB ERA12CA025: Cessna 177RG, N177MW, Westerly, RI, October 6, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 6, 2011, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Westerly, RI
- Coordinates: 41.343055, -71.80194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3431&lon=-71.8019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 82057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82057/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82057
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA025

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while starting the engine.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he completed the preflight checklist before starting the engine. When he turned the ignition, the airplane started and began to move forward. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane, but it continued forward and initiated a turn to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted another airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the accident airplane's left wing. A postaccident examination revealed no leaks or other anomalies with the brakes or any other preexisting mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he and his passenger entered the airplane and completed the preflight checklist before starting the engine. He turned the ignition, the airplane started, and began to move forward. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane but it continued forward and initiated a turn to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted another airplane parked nearby which resulted in substantial damage to the accident airplane's left wing. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who completed a post accident examination, the brakes were inspected with no leaks or other anomalies noted and the airplane had no preexisting mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N177MW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N177MW), registered now, S/N 177RG1134, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG1134
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 2010
- Departed: HPN, White Plains, NY
- Destination: WST, Westerly, RI
- Airport: WST, Westerly State Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 5, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,671 total, 877 in this make and model, 1,671 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: WST

## 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 20111006023612A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111006023612A), Oct 6, 2011: Cessna 177RG, Westerly, RI, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Owns a C-177RG. [privacy data omitted] Departed white plains airport on October 06,2011 and was enroute to Westerly State Airport to…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82057. 469 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot/owner (item 1, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot%2Fowner-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum For Record - Westerly Weather (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Westerly%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record: FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Wingtip Damage (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Wingtip%20Damage%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%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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