# NTSB LAX94LA288: Cessna 177, N1423C, Rota Island (Pacific Ocean), July 17, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1994, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Rota Island (Pacific Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28801
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28801/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA288

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PORPOISING THE AIRCRAFT UPON LANDING AND HIS INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED THE ISLAND OF ROTA FOR AN OVER WATER FLIGHT TO THE ISLAND OF GUAM.  SOMETIME AFTER DEPARTURE, HE BECAME DISORIENTED AND EVENTUALLY RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM GUAM RADAR FOR A RETURN TO ROTA.  UPON LANDING, THE PILOT PORPOISED THE AIRCRAFT UNTIL THE NOSE GEAR SHEARED OFF.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1994, at 1620 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177, N1423C, collided with the runway at Rota International Airport, Rota Island in the northern Mariana Islands.  The airplane was being operated as a personal over water flight to the island of Guam.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and the airplane was being operated under visual flight rules.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot took off in the wrong direction, became disoriented, and required help from Guam radar.  With the assistance of the Guam radar controller, the pilot returned to Rota.  On landing, the aircraft porpoised until the nose gear broke off substantially damaging the aircraft.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  The pilot was requested to submit an accident report, but none has been received in this office.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1423C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1423C-1998-12-01), registration cancelled 1998-12-01, S/N 17702725 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702725
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Unterberg, Jurgen H W
- Registered owner: Unterberg, Jurgen H W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRO
- Destination: AGANA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GRO, Rota International, runway 27, 6,000 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19940717018579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940717018579A), Jul 17, 1994: Cessna 177B, Rota Island, PC, Substantial damage. Took off wrong direction for guam. Became lost. Vectored back to Rota. Bounced porpoised landing. Severed nose gear

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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