# NTSB GAA19CA377: Cessna 177, N30257, Pleasanton, KS, June 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2019, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Pleasanton, KS - Coordinates: 38.202777, -94.737503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2028&lon=-94.7375&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 99737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA377 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99737/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99737 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA377 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of yaw control during takeoff with a right quartering headwind in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## 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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: 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) - [Initial climb: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after rotation from a private, grass runway, a wind gust pushed the airplane to the left. The airplane continued left, the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. 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 reported that, shortly after rotation from a private grass runway, "a gust of wind pushed" the airplane to the left. The airplane continued left, exited the runway, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, about the time of takeoff, the wind was from 220° at 10 knots, gusting 19 knots. The airplane departed to the southeast. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30257](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30257-2019-09-11), registration cancelled 2019-09-11, S/N 17701154, built 1968 (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: 17701154 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 3998.45 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-62D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 2018 - Departed: PVT, Pleasanton, KS - Airport: PVT, Pvt, runway 17, 2,400 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 4, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,841 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,841 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 90 °F - Observed at: KLRY, 31 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 20190627008109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190627008109A), Jun 27, 2019: Cessna 177, Pleasanton, KS, Substantial damage. Aircraft was departing a private turf runway and the pilot lost control of the aircraft in gusty winds and struck trees off the edge of the runway. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99737. 796 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477015&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 382 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.