# NTSB ERA12CA414: Cessna 177, N30163, West Milford, NJ, June 23, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 23, 2012, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: West Milford, NJ
- Coordinates: 41.123889, -74.34111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1239&lon=-74.3411&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84082
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA414
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84082/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84082
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA414

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper full flap retraction while performing a go-around maneuver, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

## 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 177, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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-aborted after touchdown: 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)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the airplane bounced during the landing. He added power in an attempt to recover, but then decided to perform a go-around maneuver. He performed the go-around checklist; however, he inadvertently retracted the flaps to the zero degree, or "UP" position, instead of the required 20 degree flap position. The airplane settled onto the grass to the left of the runway and struck bushes and cement blocks located about 150 feet off the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane bounced during the landing. He added power in an attempt to recover, but then decided to perform a go-around maneuver. He performed the go-around checklist; however, he inadvertently retracted the flaps to the zero degree, or "UP" position, instead of the required 20 degree flap position. The airplane settled onto the grass to the left of the runway and struck bushes and cement blocks located about 150 feet off the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30163](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30163-2017-10-19), registration cancelled 2017-10-19, S/N 17701091, built 1968 (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: 17701091
- Airframe hours: 2255
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rutherford Stephen
- Registered owner: Rutherford Stephen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2011
- Departed: N89, Ellenville, NY
- Destination: 4N1, West Milford, NJ
- Airport: 4N1, Greenwood Lake Airport, runway 06, 3,471 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 232 total, 106 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: FWN, 14 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 20120623011449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120623011449A), Jun 23, 2012: Cessna 177, West Milford, NJ, Substantial damage. On 06/23/2012 at 1415 local after touch down on runway 6 at Greenwood Lake Airport and attempt to go around the aircraft drifted to the northwest side of the…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84082. 4.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371805&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371806&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record: FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Balked Landing Checklist (item 5, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373184&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Balked%20Landing%20Checklist-Master.PDF
- FWN Weather Observations (item 6, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FWN%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Rear view of damaged horizontal stabilizer (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Rear%20view%20of%20damaged%20horizontal%20stabilizer%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Forward view of right horizontal stabilizer (Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 701 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Forward%20view%20of%20right%20horizontal%20stabilizer%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3: Forward view of left horizontal stabilizer (Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 760 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Forward%20view%20of%20left%20horizontal%20stabilizer%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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