# NTSB LAX01LA163: Cessna 177B, N34168, Santa Maria, CA, May 2, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 2001, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Santa Maria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.819381, -120.410682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8194&lon=-120.4107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA163

## Probable cause

A stall/mush inadvertently encountered by the pilot-in-command.  Failure to maintain adequate airspeed for flight and inadequate remedial action contributed to the accident.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - other

## Analysis

The airplane struck a pipe, cartwheeled, and came to rest inverted, following a go-around from a simulated forced landing.  The pilot reported he had been taking photographs about 1,000 feet above ground level, then decided to practice engine out patterns.  During the go-around from the second pattern he added power, retracted the flaps to 20 degrees, and was unable to prevent contact with the ground.  The pilot further stated that it "felt like the elevator stalled."

## Factual narrative

On May 2, 2001, at 1320 hours Pacific daylight saving time, a Cessna 177B, N34168, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground while maneuvering approximately 3 miles east of Santa Maria Airport, Santa Maria, California.  The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the private pilot/owner who received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which departed from Santa Maria Airport approximately 1250.

The pilot reported he had been taking photographs about 1,000 feet above ground level, then decided to practice engine out patterns.  During the go-around from the second pattern he added power, retracted the flaps to 20 degrees, and was unable to prevent contact with the ground.  The pilot further stated that it "felt like the elevator stalled."  The airplane struck a pipe, cartwheeled, and came to rest inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34168](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34168-2002-02-06), registration cancelled 2002-02-06, S/N 17701686, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177B
- 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: 17701686
- Airframe hours: 4303
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stanley D Voris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2000, 21 hours before
- Departed: SMX, Santa Maria
- Destination: Santa Maria, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 24, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 665 total, 217 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: SMX, 4 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 20010502007259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010502007259A), May 2, 2001: Cessna 177B, Santa Maria, CA, Substantial damage. (-23)During practice of engine-out emergency procedures, pilot raised flaps prior application of power during go-around, causing stall/impact with ground.…

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.

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