# NTSB GAA17CA249: Cessna 177, N3224T, Marathon, NY, April 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2017, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Marathon, NY - Coordinates: 42.535556, -76.027221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5356&lon=-76.0272&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95081 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95081/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95081 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA249 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); 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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during the second low pass over a friend's grass airstrip, the airplane was "low and slow" and unable to maintain altitude. He applied throttle; however, he "got behind the airplane, and it got him." Subsequently, the airplane settled, touched down, and overran the north end of the runway. The airplane then hit a road, became airborne shortly, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during the second low pass over a friend's grass airstrip, the airplane was "low and slow" and unable to maintain altitude. He applied throttle, however he "got behind the airplane and it got him". Subsequently, the airplane settled, touched down, and overran the north end of the runway. The airplane then encountered a road, became airborne for a short time, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3224T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3224T-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 17700524, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 17700524 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 1913 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, April 24, 2017 - Departed: 4N7, GREENE, NY - Destination: N03, CORTLAND, NY - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 652 total, 138 in this make and model, 652 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KBGM, 20 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 20170428008559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170428008559A), Apr 28, 2017: Cessna 177, Freetown, NY, Destroyed. On April 28, 2017, at 1743 EDT, N3224T, Cessna 177, sn: 17700524, crashed at [privacy data omitted]Freetown, NY 13803. Aircraft sustained substantial damages… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95081. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 857 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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.