# NTSB LAX08CA276: Cessna 177RG, N8053G, Lake Tahoe, CA, August 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2008, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Tahoe, CA - Coordinates: 38.883335, -119.983329 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8833&lon=-119.9833&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68782 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68782/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA276 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind and density altitude conditions and failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/mush. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073709), [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. - [Takeoff: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said that during the takeoff initial climb, the airplane encountered a windshear and touched back down on the runway as it was drifting to the left in a right bank. The airplane lifted off the runway again and the flight continued normally back to the pilot's home airport, with no flight control anomalies encountered. While the pilot was tying down his airplane, he noted buckling of the right stabilator top skin, and the lower skin and tip bottom were scraped. He opined that the damage had taken place at the departure airport when the airplane had settled back onto the runway during the takeoff. Prior to the flight the pilot had checked the weather on the internet, as well as the ASOS information. Both sources indicated a tailwind for a departure to the north, which was also the preferred takeoff runway. During his start-up and taxi to the active runway he noted the wind sock showing a crosswind from the left at 5 to 10 knots. The engine power and acceleration for takeoff were normal and the airplane lifted off the ground about midfield at 70 miles per hour. On the initial climb out, the wind shifted. The airplane began a descent and turn to the left as the stall warning horn was sounding. The pilot corrected back to the runway with a right bank, at which point the airplane touched down on the runway. In the pilot's written statement on how the accident could have been prevented, he reported that he should have reconsidered his decision to take off based on the disparity between the windsock and ASOS information available, and that he should have delayed the climb out until a higher airspeed had been attained. The density altitude was calculated at 7,965 feet. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he performed normal airplane checks after start up with the exception of the run-up. After another airplane departed prior to him, he taxied the airplane to the end of the runway. He performed a run-up, which included configuring the airplane for a high altitude maximum performance takeoff per the pilot operating handbook (POH). He leaned the engine for maximum rpm’s (revolutions per minute). As he began the crosswind takeoff, with rpm’s and acceleration speed as expected, the airplane lifted off the ground about midfield, at 70 miles per hour (mph). The airplane was struck by "windshear," which caused the stall warning to sound, a descent, and drift to the left of runway centerline. He attempted to correct back to the runway with a right bank. The airplane settled onto the runway and then lifted off again. At this time the pilot did not perceive any damage to the airplane. The pilot reported that he checked weather through Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS), and verified it with the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) weather for the airport. The ASOS reported winds from 180 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot stated that the windsock indicated an almost direct crosswind. He noted that runway 18/36 was closed, with a parallel taxiway marked and designated for takeoffs and landings. The taxiway length was 5,000 feet long by 60 feet wide. The closed runway length was 8,544 feet long by 150 feet wide. The pilot stated that he chose the preferred runway/taxiway (runway 36) for departure due to terrain conditions; runway 36 has descending terrain, while runway 18 has ascending terrain. After arriving at the destination airport, as the pilot was tying down his airplane, he noted that the right stabilator top skin was buckled, as well as the lower skin and bottom of the tip was scraped. He believed that the damage was done when the airplane settled back onto the runway at the departure airport. In the Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented?) section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the pilot stated that he should have delayed the climb out until a higher airspeed was attained (should have accelerated more while in ground effect). He also indicated that he should have reconsidered his decision to takeoff based on the disparity between the windsock and ASOS information. The density altitude was calculated at 7,965 feet. The pilot stated that there were no flight control anomalies with the flight back to the home airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8053G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8053G-2018-12-04), registration cancelled 2018-12-04, S/N 177RG0053, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0053 - Airframe hours: 3583 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2008, 20 hours before - Departed: TVL, Lake Tahoe, CA - Destination: PAO, Palo Alto, CA - Airport: TVL, Lake Tahoe Airport, runway 36, 8,544 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 505 total, 136 in this make and model, 458 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: TVL ## 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 20080819845589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080819845589A), Aug 19, 2008: Cessna 177RG, South Lake Tah, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff, the pilot reported that the aircraft settled back on to the runway. The takeoff was continued AD the aircraft departed to the destination… ## Other investigations on N8053G (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA17CA505](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA505), Aug 22, 2017: Cessna 177RG (N8053G), Byron, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. 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.