# NTSB ERA14CA364: Cessna 177B, N18509, Falmouth, MA, July 19, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2014, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Falmouth, MA - Coordinates: 41.585556, -70.540275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5856&lon=-70.5403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA364 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89755/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89755 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA364 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach resulting in a touchdown near the departure end of the runway, a runway excursion, and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 elected to conduct a landing on runway 25 at his destination airport. He stated that the windsock indicated a crosswind, that did not favor either runway. The pilot flew the approach to landing at a speed of 65-75 knots. The pilot realized right before touchdown that he was going to land long and go off the end of the runway. After touching down the airplane veered to the right and struck a runway light then subsequently impacted trees that were located approximately 300 feet off the end of the runway. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings. According to a witness who resided next to the airport he advised the pilot, that he landed with a tailwind and should have used runway 7. Approximately 5 minutes after the accident occurred, an Automated Weather Observing System located 3 miles north of the accident site also reported winds of 080 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he elected to conduct a landing on runway 25 at his destination airport. He stated that the windsock indicated a crosswind, that did not favor either runway. The pilot flew the approach to landing at a speed of 65-75 knots. The pilot realized right before touchdown that he was going to land long and go off the end of the runway. After touching down the airplane veered to the right and struck a runway light then subsequently impacted trees that were located approximately 300 feet off the end of the runway. The airplane received substantial damage to the wings. According to a witness who resided next to the airport he advised the pilot, that he landed with a tailwind and should have used runway 7. Approximately 5 minutes after the accident occurred, an Automated Weather Observing System located 3 miles north of the accident site also reported winds of 080 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18509](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18509-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N 17702538, built 1976 (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: 17702538 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 1694 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 2014 - Departed: 5B6, Falmouth, MA - Destination: 5B6, Falmouth, MA - Airport: 5B6, Falmouth Airpark, runway 25, 2,298 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review March 23, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 223 total, 34 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: FMH, 3 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 20140719011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140719011709A), Jul 19, 2014: Cessna 177B, Falmouth, MA, Substantial damage. Pilot landing on runway 25 with a slight crosswind. Touched down beyond the halfway mark of the 2298 foot runway. He stated it was too late to initiate a go… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89755. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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. --- 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.