# NTSB MKC85LA085: Cessna 177B, N34908, Alliance, NE, April 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1985, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Alliance, NE
- Coordinates: 42.099983, -102.870117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1000&lon=-102.8701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACFT COLLIDED WITH DITCH AT END OF STRIP WHILE ABORTING TAKEOFF. TAKEOFF WAS BEING MADE FROM A 2200 FT LONG DIRT FARM STRIP. THE STRIP HAD A SLIGHT UPSLOPE AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 6,800 FT. WING FLAPS WERE FOUND IN RETRACTED POSITION AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34908](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34908), registered now, S/N 17702082, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702082
- Airframe hours: 1274
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn And Clarice Spear
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1984, 23 hours before
- Destination: AKO, AKRON, CO
- Airport: runway 30, 2,200 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 849 total, 249 in this make and model, 803 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AIA, 18 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 19850418013239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850418013239A), Apr 18, 1985: Cessna 177B, Alliance, NE, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff on dirt uphill runway and ran into ditch. No flaps were used and density altitude was a factor.

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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