# NTSB LAX99LA121: Cessna 177, N3406T, Chico, CA, March 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 17, 1999, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Chico, CA - Coordinates: 39.74023, -121.829475 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7402&lon=-121.8295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45924 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45924/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA121 ## Probable cause The CFI's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action to rectify his student's bounced landing. Contributing factors were the short runway and obstructing trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed(vso) - not attained, dual student - flare - misjudged, dual student - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - not corrected, dual student - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The CFI indicated that during the flight he was to provide the owner-pilot any needed instruction while the pilot practiced landings. Also, the CFI planned to further familiarize himself with the pilot's airplane. The owner-pilot performed the first landing, the CFI performed the second landing, and the owner-pilot performed the third approach and attempted landing. The CFI reported that the pilot's final approach was flown a little faster than normal. The touchdown occurred nose wheel first, and during rollout the airplane began porpoising. After the third or fourth oscillation, the CFI took the controls and applied full engine power to stabilize the airplane and to take off. According to the CFI, he maintained control of the airplane as it became airborne, and he partially retracted the wing flaps. The airplane climbed, impacted several trees, and came to rest within 1/4-mile south of the airport. Neither pilot asserted that any mechanical malfunction occurred with the airplane during the accident flight. Ranchaero's runway 15 is 2,280 feet long, and its landing threshold is displaced by 200 feet. Trees are located near both the approach and departure ends of the runway. Touch-and-go landings are prohibited. ## Factual narrative On March 17, 1999, about 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177, N3406T, owned and operated by the pilot, collided with trees during initial climb following a rejected landing on runway 15 at the uncontrolled Ranchaero Airport, Chico, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the certified flight instructor (CFI), who possessed a commercial pilot certificate, was not injured. The airplane's owner, who possessed a private pilot certificate, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, as a dual instructional flight, and it originated from Chico about 1000. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the CFI indicated that during the flight he was to provide the owner-pilot any needed instruction while the pilot practiced landings. Also, the CFI planned to familiarize himself with the pilot's airplane. The pilot performed the first landing, the CFI performed the second landing, and the pilot performed the third approach and attempted landing. The CFI reported that the pilot's final approach was flown a little faster than normal, and touchdown occurred nose wheel first. During rollout, the airplane began porpoising. After the third or fourth oscillation, the CFI took the controls and applied full engine power to stabilize the airplane and to take off. According to the CFI, he maintained control of the airplane as it became airborne, and he partially retracted the wing flaps. The airplane climbed slowly, impacted several trees, and came to rest within 1/4-mile south of the airport. Neither pilot asserted that any mechanical malfunction occurred with the airplane during the accident flight. In the Federal Aviation Administration's "Airport/Facility Directory," information is provided about Ranchaero's runway and the surrounding area. In pertinent part, the directory states that runway 15 is 2,280 feet long and its landing threshold is displaced by 200 feet. Obstructions (trees) are in the vicinity of runway 15 and 33. Touch-and-go landings are prohibited. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3406T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3406T-2000-03-10), registration cancelled 2000-03-10, S/N 17700706 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177-00706 - Airframe hours: 1661 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: John W. Schreck - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1999, 14 hours before - Departed: O23 - Airport: O23, Ranchaero, runway 15, 2,280 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 365 total, 2 in this make and model, 293 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CIC, 5 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 19990317002449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990317002449A), Mar 17, 1999: Cessna 177, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)The CFI indicated that during the flight he was to provide the owner-pilot any needed instruction while the pilot practiced landings. Also, the CFI planned… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.