# NTSB MKC89LA084: Cessna 177, N35053, Fort Dodge, IA, March 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1989, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Dodge, IA
- Coordinates: 42.499343, -94.169998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4993&lon=-94.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA084

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS, TO FLARE PROPERLY, AND TO RECOVER PROPERLY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. THE GUSTY X-WIND CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE LANDING IN A GUSTY X-WIND CONDITION, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TURBULENCE DURING THE LANDING FLARE. HE SAID THE ACFT PORPOISED TWO OR THREE TIMES, THEN IT DROPPED ON THE NOSE WHEEL & WAS DAMAGED. THE X-WIND WAS 60 DEGREES FROM THE RIGHT AT 16 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35053](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35053), registered now, S/N 17702178, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- 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: 2178
- Airframe hours: 1903
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: S And S Flyers, Ltd
- Registered owner: S & S Flyers, Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1988, 32 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: FOD
- Airport: FOD, Fort Dodge, runway 12, 4,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,462 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,462 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 16 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FOD, 1 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 19890324004539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890324004539A), Mar 24, 1989: Cessna 177, Fort Dodge, IA, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised landing in a gusty crosswind. Came down hard on nose gear and broke it off.

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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