# NTSB GAA15CA111: Cessna 177, N29415, Clewiston, FL, June 5, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 5, 2015, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Clewiston, FL - Coordinates: 26.735834, -81.05194 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7358&lon=-81.0519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Miramar FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91335 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91335/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91335 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper level off and flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing flare he encountered "localized rough air" and crosswind conditions. On the first landing the airplane touched down hard and began to porpoise. Following the second bounce, the pilot initiated a go-around, and requested his pilot rated passenger, who had more experience in the airplane, to take the flight controls. The pilot rated passenger landed without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. He reported winds were from a variable direction at 10 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare he encountered "localized rough air" and crosswind conditions. On the first landing the airplane touched down hard and began to porpoise. Following the second bounce, the pilot initiated a go-around, and requested his pilot rated passenger, who had more experience in the airplane, to take the flight controls. The pilot rated passenger landed without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. He reported winds were from a variable direction at 10 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29415](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29415), registered now, S/N 17700873, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700873 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 600 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 2015 - Departed: OBE, OKEECHOBEE, FL - Destination: 2IS, Clewiston, FL - Airport: 2IS, Airglades, runway 13, 5,901 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,818 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,818 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2015; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 4,100 total, 129 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KIMM, 26 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 20150605008749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150605008749A), Jun 5, 2015: Cessna 177, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot in command (PIC) stated that while on a cross country flight from kobe to 21S his approach angle to 13 was a little high. During the landing flare he… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91335. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 931 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428969&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428970&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command – 2) (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428971&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command%20%E2%80%93%202)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Second Pilot – Passenger) (item 4, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428972&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Second%20Pilot%20%E2%80%93%20Passenger)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Right Side Fuselage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Side%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Right Side Cowling (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Side%20Cowling%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.