# NTSB FTW95LA118: Cessna 177B, N34958, Terlingua, TX, February 20, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1995, 19:15 local (Feb 20, 1995, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Terlingua, TX
- Coordinates: 29.320388, -103.620162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3204&lon=-103.6202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA118

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE HIS DECISION TO LAND ON THE UNLIT RUNWAY AND THE DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not installed
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

ALTHOUGH THE UNLIGHTED RUNWAY WAS VISIBLE TO THE PILOT ON FINAL APPROACH, AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, HE 'LOST THE CENTERLINE.' THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, IMPACTED BRUSH, AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL FORWARD UNTIL IT CAME TO REST IN A RAVINE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'IT WAS GETTING DARK' AS THEY APPROACHED THE AIRPORT.

## Factual narrative

On February 19, 1995, at 1915 central standard time, a Cessna 177B, N34958, was substantially damaged during landing near Terlingua, Texas.  The commercial pilot and private pilot rated passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Civil Air Patrol public use flight from Presidio, Texas.

The pilot, who was occupying the right seat, reported that "it was getting dark" as he approached the unlighted Terlingua Ranch Airport.  Both the pilot and his passenger stated that the runway was visible on final approach.  The pilot reported that he "lost the centerline drifting to the right" during the landing to runway 20.  The airplane exited the right side of the runway, impacted brush, and continued to travel forward until it encountered a ravine where it came to rest.

The operator reported that the right main gear and nose gear separated from the airplane.  The fuselage was buckled aft of the baggage compartment and the right wing spar was damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34958](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34958-2017-10-19), registration cancelled 2017-10-19, S/N 17702115, built 1974 (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: 17702115
- Airframe hours: 4043
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AIF6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1994, 96 hours before
- Departed: TX07, PRESIDIO, TX
- Destination: 1E2
- Airport: 1E2, Terlingua Ranch, runway 20, 4,695 × 90 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 352 total, 10 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19950219002169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950219002169A), Feb 19, 1995: Cessna 177B, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. Landing on visible but unlighted runway. Lost centerline. Ran off side of runway into a ravine.

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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