# NTSB LAX85LA140: Cessna 177RG, N2180Q, Ukiah, CA, February 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1985, 18:35 local (Feb 14, 1985, 02:35 UTC)
- Place: Ukiah, CA
- Coordinates: 39.119297, -123.280082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1193&lon=-123.2801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA140

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - airport facilities,taxiway lighting - unavailable
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON A DARK NIGHT, THE PLT FAILED TO OBSERVE THAT THE TAXIWAY (ON WHICH HE WAS TAXIING) MADE A 90 DEG TURN TO CONNECT WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE RWY. WHERE THE TAXIWAY TURNED, THE ACFT CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD & WENT INTO A 3 FT DEEP DITCH. THERE WERE NO TAXIWAY EDGE MARKINGS & THE CENTERLINE STRIPE WAS NOT OF A REFLECTIVE TYPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2180Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2180Q-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 177RG0580, built 1974 (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: 177RG0580
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: William B. Cook
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 1984, 25 hours before
- Departed: UKI
- Destination: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: UKI, Ukiah, runway 15, 5,005 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,967 total, 26 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850213049959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850213049959A), Feb 13, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Ukiah, CA, Substantial damage. Taxied off end of taxiway during dark night operation. Struck ditch. Taxiway does not have edge stripes, reflectors

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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