# NTSB GAA16CA406: Cessna 177, N30550, Kalispell, MT, July 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2016, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Kalispell, MT - Coordinates: 48.079723, -113.244445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0797&lon=-113.2444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA406 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93737/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93737 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA406 ## Probable cause The airplane's hard landing during an aborted takeoff, following an encounter with a downdraft during takeoff initial climb from a remote mountain airstrip, resulting in an uncontrolled descent, attempt to land on the runway remaining, and subsequent nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Cessna 177A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=2073706), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff from a mountain airstrip, and climbing just above the trees lining the runway, the airplane encountered an "extreme wind shear and an enormous downdraft". The pilot further reported the airplane began to descend at 1500-2000 feet per minute and he decided to land on the remaining runway. Subsequently the airplane touched down hard, bounced, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a mountain airstrip, and climbing just above the trees lining the runway, the airplane encountered an "extreme wind shear and an enormous downdraft". The pilot further reported the airplane began to descend at 1500-2000 feet per minute and he decided to land on the remaining runway. Subsequently the airplane touched down hard, bounced, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30550](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30550-2017-01-23), registration cancelled 2017-01-23, S/N 17701321, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 (A) - Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (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: 17701321 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 2766 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2016 - Departed: 8U2, Kalispell, MT - Destination: GPI, KALISPELL, MT - Airport: 8U2, Schafer /Usfs/, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 8, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 642.9 total, 230.3 in this make and model, 541.5 as pilot in command, 121.5 in the last 90 days, 24.7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KGPI, 43 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 20160731008659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160731008659A), Jul 31, 2016: Cessna 177A, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. On July 31, 2016, at 0645 MDT, a Cessna 177, N30550, registered to potato in the front LLC, flipped over after an aborted takeoff at Schafer Meadows airstrip… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93737. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444180&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airplane Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444181&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Photograph%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-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.