# NTSB FTW83LA443: Cessna 177RGII, N53070, Houston, TX, September 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1983, 21:30 local (Sep 26, 1983, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.610427, -95.609748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6104&lon=-95.6097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA443
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA443

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,taxiway lighting - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH WHILE TAXIING TO THE RAMP FOLLOWING A NIGHT LANDING. THE TAXIWAY WAS UNLIGHTED & THE PLT STATED THE HE 'SIMPLY TURNED TOO SHORT ONTO THE MAIN TAXIWAY.' DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N53070 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RGII
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG1336
- Airframe hours: 800
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Graden Harger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1983, 57 hours before
- Departed: 66R, COLUMBUS, TX
- Airport: SGR, Hull, runway 17, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 181 total, 57 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830925051789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830925051789A), Sep 25, 1983: Cessna 177RG, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Turned too short onto main taxiway after leaving the runway. Dropped into a concrete ditch.

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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