# NTSB LAX05LA051: Cessna 177RG, N1JM, Phoenix, AZ, December 23, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 2004, 11:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.688331, -112.082496
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6883&lon=-112.0825&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA051

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

The airplane veered off the left side of the runway during landing with a 40-degree, 12-knot crosswind.  The pilot was performing a post maintenance test flight to check the landing gear warning system.  He completed the test, and was landing.  As soon as he lowered the nose wheel to the runway, the airplane veered to the left despite his corrective control inputs.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway and into the midfield terrain, collapsing the right main landing gear strut.  No mechanical anomalies were identified during the post accident airplane examination.

## Factual narrative

On December 23, 2004, at 1105 mountain standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N1JM, veered off the left side of the runway during landing, collapsing the right main landing gear mount, at Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona.  The private pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.  The maintenance check flight originated from Deer Valley Airport at 1015.

The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he was performing a test flight to check the landing gear warning system.  The pilot completed the test, and was landing on runway 7R.  As soon as he lowered the nose wheel to the runway, the airplane veered to the left despite his corrective control inputs.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway and into the midfield terrain, collapsing the right main landing gear strut.  No mechanical anomalies were identified during the post accident airplane examination.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1JM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0375
- Airframe hours: 612
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jensen Systems Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 2004, 0 hours before
- Departed: KDVT, Phoenix, AZ
- Destination: KDVT
- Airport: KDVT, Deer Valley Airport, runway 07L, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 620 total, 2 in this make and model, 620 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: KDVT

## 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 20041223034189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041223034189A), Dec 23, 2004: Cessna 177RG, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was on a maintenance check flight and that it was uneventful until landing. He said that when the nose gear touched down, the…

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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