# NTSB LAX90FA235: Cessna 177, N2307Y, Lake Havasu, AZ, July 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1990, 18:20 local (Jul 2, 1990, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Lake Havasu, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.479198, -114.320274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4792&lon=-114.3203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA235

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, OVERWEIGHT AIRPLANE, AND THE PILOT'S ALCOHOL LEVEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND HEAD TOWARDS A PORTION OF THE LAKE WHERE THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS HAD VISITED FRIENDS EARLIER IN THE DAY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW AND SLOW WITH A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE WHEN THE WINGS BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN THE WATER AFTER ABOUT 180 DEG OF ROTATION. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS ON THE PILOT WERE POSITIVE FOR ALCOHOL AT A REPORTED LEVEL OF 0.08%. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT BY ABOUT 8 LBS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 4,234 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2307Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2307Y-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 17700107, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700107
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burreson, Rex H.
- Registered owner: Rex H Burreson
- Destination: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Airport: LHV, Lake Havasu, runway 5, 6,167 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 129 total, 33 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 118 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: EED, 20 nm away

## 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 19900701023209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900701023209A), Jul 1, 1990: Cessna 177, Lake Havasu, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Slow and nose high over lake. Made steep turn. Stalled spun into lake. Pilot and passengers positive for alcohol.

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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