# NTSB GAA17CA317: Cessna 177, N34462, Guttenberg, IA, June 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2017, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Guttenberg, IA - Coordinates: 42.8125, -91.098892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8125&lon=-91.0989&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95293 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95293/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95293 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA317 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path, which resulted in the left wing impacting a street sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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 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) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: 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) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during final, "all seemed normal until [he] felt the plane drop." He added that he heard the stall warning horn chirp and added full power "[too] late." The left wing sheared off after impacting a street sign, and the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 12 miles north of the accident airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 9 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 17. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during final "all seemed normal until [he] felt the plane drop". He added that he heard the stall warning horn chirp and added full power "[too] late". The left wing sheared off after impacting a street sign and the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 12 miles north of the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 210° at 9 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 17. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N34462](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34462-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 17701819, built 1972 (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: 17701819 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 5769.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2017 - Departed: DVN, DAVENPORT, IA - Destination: IA23, Guttenberg, IA - Airport: IA23, Gaa Private, runway 17, 2,540 × 160 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KPDC, 12 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 20170603018979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170603018979A), Jun 3, 2017: Cessna 177B, Guttenburg, IA, Substantial damage. General aviation airstrip IA23 is a privately owned grass strip. The center line is not marked. The pilot stated that he was lined up on short final. As he… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95293. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 945 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454080&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454084&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454085&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.