# NTSB GAA16CA404: Cessna 177, N34867, Wickenburg, AZ, July 29, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2016, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Wickenburg, AZ - Coordinates: 33.971111, -112.794441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9711&lon=-112.7944&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93725 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA404 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93725/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93725 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA404 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect balked landing procedure, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent, hard landing, a runway excursion, and nose gear collapse. ## 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 177B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a hard landing the airplane began to porpoise and he decided to abort the landing. The pilot reported that during the aborted landing, he added power and as the airplane began to climb, he retracted the flaps too soon and too quickly and the airplane settled back onto the runway, landed hard again, veered off the runway to the right, collapsed the nose gear, and stopped in a nose down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The procedures for a balked landing, as provided by Cessna, state: 1. Power – Full throttle and 2700 RPM 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold 3. Wing Flaps – Retract to 20 degrees 4. Upon reaching an airspeed of approximately 75 MPH, retract flaps slowly The pilot reported as a safety recommendation to wait longer for the aircraft to further stabilize, gain speed, and begin climbing before retracting flaps. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after a hard landing the airplane began to porpoise and he decided to abort the landing. The pilot reported that during the aborted landing, he added power and as the airplane began to climb, he retracted the flaps too soon and too quickly and the airplane settled back onto the runway, landed hard again, veered off the runway to the right, collapsed the nose gear, and stopped in a nose down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The procedures for a balked landing, as provided by Cessna, state: 1. Power – Full throttle and 2700 RPM 2. Carburetor Heat – Cold 3. Wing Flaps – Retract to 20 degrees 4. Upon reaching an airspeed of approximately 75 MPH, retract flaps slowly The pilot reported as a safety recommendation to wait longer for the aircraft to further stabilize, gain speed, and begin climbing before retracting flaps. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34867](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34867-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N 17702055, built 1973 (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: 17702055 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 3406 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2015 - Departed: E25, Wickenburg, AZ - Destination: E25, Wickenburg, AZ - Airport: E25, Wickenburg Muni, runway 23, 6,101 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 374 total, 26 in this make and model, 374 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 17 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KLUF, 33 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 20160729012589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160729012589A), Jul 29, 2016: Cessna 177B, Wickenburg, AZ, Substantial damage. PIC stated he was practicing touch and goes on runway 23 at Wickenburg. Wind at time of accident was estimated to be 290 at 9 KTS. PIC had already completed… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93725. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airplane Balked Procedures (item 2, .PDF, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Balked%20Procedures-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 595 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.