# NTSB LAX85LA207: Cessna 177, N1217M, Chinle, AZ, April 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1985, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Chinle, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.230846, -109.570678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2308&lon=-109.5707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA207

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON RUNWAY 17. THE WINDS WERE FORM 220 DEGREES GUSTING TO 30-35 KNOT. THE PILOT STATED THAT, AS HE CAME BY A QUONSET HANGAR, THE AIRCRAFT WAS STRUCK BY A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER. THE AIRCRAFT WEATHER-VANED INTO THE WIND AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE TURN. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A RUNWAY LIGHT AND FOLDED UP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1217M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1217M), registered now, S/N 177RG0400, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- 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
- Airframe hours: 3400
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald M. Megill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TBC, TUBA CITY, AZ
- Destination: Q32, CHINLE, AZ
- Airport: Q32, Chinle, runway 17, 4,200 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,082 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,926 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °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 19850416012449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850416012449A), Apr 16, 1985: Cessna 177RG, Chinle, AZ, Substantial damage. Weathervaned on rollout and struck a runway light. Right main gear collapsed.

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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