# NTSB LAX04CA224: Cessna 177B, N7PP, Grand Canyon, AZ, May 31, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2004, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 35.650554, -112.147781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6506&lon=-112.1478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59338 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59338/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA224 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis During the landing roll the airplane departed the runway to the right and hit a ditch. The Unicom reported winds from the northwest at 10 knots, and runway 01 in use. The pilot overflew the runway, checked the windsock, and entered for left traffic on runway 01. The pilot executed a go-around because of the wind. He came around for another attempt. As the left main wheel touched down, a gust of wind pushed the airplane off of the right side of the runway into rough terrain. The airplane collided with a rocky ditch, and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2004, about 1000 mountain standard time, a Cessna 177B, N7PP, came to rest inverted after a loss of directional control on landing at Valle Airport (40G), Grand Canyon, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight originated from Ernest A. Love Field Airport (PRC), Prescott, Arizona, after a stop at Seligman Airport (P23), Seligman, Arizona, with the final destination of 40G . Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). He stated that he and a friend in another airplane had flown to Seligman for breakfast, and then to Valle. The Unicom reported winds from the northwest at 10 knots, and runway 01 in use. The pilot overflew the runway, checked the windsock, and entered for left traffic on runway 01. The pilot executed a go-around because of the wind. His friend landed, so he continued for another attempt. As the left main wheel touched down, a gust of wind pushed the airplane off of the right side of the runway into rough terrain. The airplane collided with a rocky ditch, and nosed over. The official weather observation for the airport at 0947 was reporting winds from 250 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7PP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7PP-2006-08-31), registration cancelled 2006-08-31, S/N 17702368, built 1975 (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: 17702368 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wallace Nispel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: P23, Seligman, AZ - Destination: 40G, Grand Canyon, AZ - Airport: 40G, Valle Airport, runway 01 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,650 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 15 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 20040531008359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040531008359A), May 31, 2004: Cessna 177B, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated he had gone around on his first landing attempt due to a crosswind. On his second attempt, he touched down and immediately lost control… 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.