# NTSB LAX04CA175: Cessna 177, N88BM, California City, CA, April 3, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2004, 17:25 local (Apr 3, 2004, 01:25 UTC) - Place: California City, CA - Coordinates: 35.152221, -118.01667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1522&lon=-118.0167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59002/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA175 ## Probable cause the certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush condition and a collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were strong tailwind conditions and a sudden wind shift. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain during the takeoff initial climb. Prior to departure, the certified flight instructor (CFI) noted calm wind conditions. During the initial climb, about 50 to 75 feet above ground level, the airplane began to descend, while rolling and yawing to the right. The CFI could not maintain control of the airplane, and it continued in a 300-foot-per-minute descent. The airplane impacted the ground and a fire erupted. After egressing the airplane, the CFI noticed a strong shift in winds into tailwind conditions. A few minutes later, he noted that the winds became light again, followed by periodic gusts and wind shifts. The CFI reported that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The CFI reported that the airplane's gross weight was about 2,341 pounds, and the published maximum gross weight is 2,350 pounds. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2004, about 1725 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177, N88BM, collided with terrain during takeoff at California City, California. The Edwards Air Force Base Flying Club was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI), the student pilot, and two passengers, sustained minor injuries; a post crash fire destroyed the airplane. The cross-country instructional flight originated from California City about 1720, with a planned destination of Rosamond Skypark Airport, Rosamond, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the CFI reported that he was attempting to takeoff on runway 24. Prior to departure, he received weather information from the automated weather observing system (AWOS), which reported that the wind was from 020 degrees at 4 knots, temperature was 64-degrees Fahrenheit, and the altimeter was 29.82 InHg. While taxiing to the runway, he observed the windsock to be limp, an indication of calm winds. During the initial climb, he accelerated the airplane to 80 miles per hour (mph) in an effort to maintain a shallow climb. About 50 to 75feet above ground level, the airplane began to decelerate and descend, while rolling and yawing to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and right aileron and the airplane made a slight correction. Although the engine appeared to be operating smoothly at 2,500 rpm, the airplane continued in a 300-foot-per-minute decent. Still in a roll and yaw to the right, the pilot configured the airplane in a nose high attitude, with full power. The airplane impacted the ground and the left main gear collided with a small sand dune. The collision resulted in the left wing impacting the ground and the nose gear collapsing. After a sudden deceleration the airplane came to rest and a fire erupted in the center floor area. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire, but it immediately reignited and all four occupants exited the airplane. After egressing the airplane, the CFI estimated that the wind was from 090 degrees at 25 to 35 knots. A few minutes later, he noted that the winds became light again, followed by periodic gusts and wind shifts. The CFI reported that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The terrain elevation at the airport is about 2,450 feet mean sea level. Based upon the atmospheric conditions provided by the CFI, a Safety Board computer program computed a density altitude of 3,450 feet. The gross weight was calculated by the CFI to be 2,341 pounds, which included a fuel deduction for taxi, and was based on the airplane operating with 5 quarts of oil. The airplane's published maximum gross weight is 2,350 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88BM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88BM-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 177-00986, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - 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: 177-00986 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Edwards AFB Aero Club - Registered owner: Chris Phillips/ Tom Goodnough - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L71, California City, CA - Destination: L00, Rosamond, CA - Airport: L71, California City Municipal Airp, runway 24 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 982 total, 5 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 44 total, 43 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040402009969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040402009969A), Apr 2, 2004: Cessna 177, California City, CA, Destroyed. (-23) On 04/02/04 at 1725 hours PDT Mr. Greg roher, a CFI, acting as pilot-in-command of N88BM, a Cessna 177, cardinal, attempted to depart runway 24 at… 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.