# NTSB ERA16LA286: Cessna 177, N30923, McDonough, NY, August 8, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2016, 15:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: McDonough, NY - Coordinates: 42.443054, -75.803886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4431&lon=-75.8039&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report January 25, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93792 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93792/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93792 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA286 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper recovery from a slow flight configuration at low altitude, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate at low altitude. ## 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 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md) - [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: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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 The private pilot was conducting a personal sightseeing flight with three passengers to view a local landmark. The pilot completed two flyovers uneventfully. The passengers then asked him to fly over a third time at a slower speed. The pilot fully extended the flaps in preparation for the next flyover. During the flyover, the pilot noted that the airplane was slow and had descended to an altitude near the tops of the trees. He applied full engine power and fully retracted the flaps. The airplane nosed down and impacted trees and terrain. The pilot and passengers subsequently egressed the airplane before it was consumed by a postimpact fire. Extensive thermal damage precluded a detailed examination of the airframe or engine for mechanical malfunctions; however, witness and passenger statements and initial statements provided by the pilot did not indicate any preimpact mechanical anomalies. It is likely that, while performing the flyover at the passengers' request, the pilot became distracted, allowing the airplane to descend and its airspeed to decay. Once the pilot recognized the situation, his response of adding engine power then immediately and fully retracting the flaps while attempting to gain altitude resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and subsequent aerodynamic stall. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2016, about 1535 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N30923, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain while maneuvering near McDonough, New York. The private pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which originated from Sidney Airport (N23), Sidney, New York and was destined for Brookhaven Airport (HWV), Shirley, New York. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.During an interview, the pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, he filled the airplane's fuel tanks, for a total fuel load of 50 gallons. The purpose of the flight was to fly back to HWV, where the airplane was based, and give the three passengers an opportunity to view and photograph a local landmark on-the-way. After making two passes over the landmark, the passengers asked the pilot to flyover again, but at a slower speed. The pilot then fully deployed the flaps in preparation for the next flyover. During the flyover, the pilot noted that the airplane was slow, and had descended to a height near the tops of the trees. He added full power and fully retracted the flaps. The airplane did not appear to be climbing, and in "a wink of an eye the nose dropped." The pilot was then looking straight down at the ground. The pilot's next recollection was that the airplane was on the ground. He and his passengers subsequently egressed before the airplane was consumed by a postimpact fire. During separate statements to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, first responders and an NTSB investigator, the pilot did not report any mechanical functions during the accident flight. In a subsequent written statement he reported that the engine experienced a total power loss prior to the impact. One of the passengers reported that he and the other two passengers were taking pictures of the landmark when he noticed the airplane descending and then hitting a tree. He did not remember hearing anything strange before the accident. Another witness that was standing on the north side of the landmark, saw the airplane fly overhead three times. During the third flyover, the airplane was flying north very low near the tree tops. He then heard the breaking of branches and a loud bang. He stated he ask someone to call 911 while he tried to help the passengers out of the airplane. Shortly after they all were out of the airplane, it erupted in flames. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane was destroyed by fire. The engine was intact, but exhibited extensive thermal damage. All other components were unrecognizable. The weather conditions reported at Greater Binghamton Airport, Binghamton, New York, located 16 nautical miles south of the accident site, at 1553, were clear sky, wind calm, and visibility 10 statute miles. The pilot held a private certificate with a rating for airplanesingle-engine land. He also held a third-class medical certificate, issued on June 24, 2016. His last flight review was completed on June 27, 2015. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported 378 total hours of flight experience, with 100 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30923](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30923-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 17701548, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 (B) - 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: 17701548 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 3983.7 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2016, 2 hours before - Departed: N23, SIDNEY, NY - Destination: HWV, SHIRLEY, NY - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 378 total, 100 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KBGM, 16 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 20160808014229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160808014229A), Aug 8, 2016: Cessna 177B, Mcdonough, NY, Destroyed. On 08/08/2016 a Cessna 177 N30923 serial number 17701548 after reported getting topped off with fuel departed sidney municiple airport (N23)under VMC… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93792. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457505&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457506&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 678 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457507&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2 photos, 566 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457508&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%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. --- 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.