# NTSB ERA22LA176: Cessna 177RG, N123LS, Gaithersburg, MD, April 2, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 2, 2022, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.243544, -77.149874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2435&lon=-77.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104875/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104875
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA176

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering on final approach which resulted in a high sink rate and subsequent collision with a fence.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was on final approach for a short field landing when the airplane developed an unexpected sink rate from which he did not have time to recover. The airplane subsequently struck a fence bordering the runway and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A witness located on the approach end of the runway reported that the airplane appeared to be low and at an abnormally slow airspeed, and immediately before impact with the fence, the airplane pitched up rapidly. The pilot stated that he got behind the airplane on approach and there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123LS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N123LS), registered now, S/N 177RG0334, built 1973 (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: 177RG0334
- Year built: 1973
- Airframe hours: 2831
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: W50, Davis Airport, runway 08/26, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,410 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: GAI, 5 nm away
- METAR: KGAI 022056Z AUTO 20007KT 170V240 10SM CLR 14/M04 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP169 T01391039 56030

## 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 20220402004909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220402004909A), Apr 2, 2022: Cessna 177RG, Laytonsville, MD, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that during an approach to landing on runway 26 at Davis airstrip (W50), Laytonsville, MD. He was to low and undershot the runway striking a 4…

## Other investigations on N123LS (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI81DEE39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81DEE39), Jun 13, 1981: Cessna 177RG (N123LS), Kewanee, IL, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 31, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104875. 10.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13751125&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilots%206120%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation_pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13752778&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation_FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13753274&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_FAA_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident video (item 4, MP4, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13754391&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=LNR616_ch2_main_20220402160200_20220402160225_x264-Rel.mp4
- Photo array_accident site and airplane damage (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13752852&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs-Rel.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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