# NTSB LAX94LA068: Cessna 177RG, N52039, Santa Monica, CA, December 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1993, 14:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Santa Monica, CA
- Coordinates: 34.009353, -118.45906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0094&lon=-118.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA068

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AT MIDFIELD AND BEGAN TO BOUNCE. WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH AIRSPEED.  AFTER ARRESTING THE BOUNCED LANDING, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE RUNWAY AND WENT DOWN AN ENBANKMENT.

## Factual narrative

On December 7, 1993, at 1405 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N52039, overran runway 21 at Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica, California.  The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Carson City Airport, Carson City, Nevada, at 1040 hours.

Ground witnesses reported that the airplane landed "long and fast."  The airplane bounced three times and then exited the departure end of the runway.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he became confused with the local controller's instructions, but ultimately entered the downwind leg.  The pilot said that the prevailing haze conditions obscured his vision until the airplane descended below 1,000 feet mean sea level.

He continued the approach and landed at midfield, but the airplane bounced two times.  After arresting the bounced landing, with about 1,200 feet of runway remaining, the pilot elected to continue the landing maneuver.  The pilot was unable to stop the airplane on the runway.  The airplane overran the end of the runway and came to rest down the embankment.

He also indicated in the accident report form that the airplane did not experience any mechanical malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52039](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52039-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 177RG1147, built 1977 (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: 177RG-1147
- Airframe hours: 2403
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stanke, William A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1992, 47 hours before
- Departed: O04, CARSON CITY, NV
- Airport: SMO, Santa Monica Municipal, runway 21, 4,987 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 603 total, 602 in this make and model, 526 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMO

## 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 19931207052209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931207052209A), Dec 7, 1993: Cessna 177RG, Santa Monica, CA, Substantial damage. Landed long and fast bounced three times and overran the runway. Came to rest down an embankment.

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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