# NTSB NYC04CA200: Cessna 177, N2975X, Warrenton, VA, August 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2004, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Warrenton, VA - Coordinates: 38.586944, -77.711387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5869&lon=-77.7114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60000 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60000/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA200 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect aborted landing procedure, which resulted in a collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - procedures/directives - incorrect, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis While on final approach, the airplane was too low, and the pilot increased engine power to correct. However, the pilot overcorrected, and the airplane landed long. The pilot then attempted to abort the landing by adding full power, and fully retracting the flaps. During the attempt, the airplane's empennage struck an embankment, separated, and the airplane came to rest upright at the departure end of the runway. Review of an owner's manual for the make and model airplane revealed that the flaps should have been retracted half-way during an aborted landing. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2004, about 1115 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2975X, was substantially damaged while landing at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (W66), Warrenton, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he flew a traffic pattern approach for runway 14; a 4,103-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, asphalt runway. While on final approach, the airplane was too low, and the pilot increased engine power to correct. The pilot further stated that he overcorrected, crossed the threshold high, and landed long. The pilot then attempted to abort the landing by adding full power, and fully retracting the flaps. During the attempt, the airplane's empennage struck an embankment, separated, and the airplane came to rest upright at the departure end of the runway. Review of a Cessna 177 Owner's Manual revealed: "Balked Landing (Go-Around)... Wing Flaps - Retract to 1/2." The reported wind at an airport approximately 12 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1055, was from 210 degrees at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2975X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2975X-2007-11-30), registration cancelled 2007-11-30, S/N 17700375, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700375 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gordon C. Alling - Registered owner: Cardinal Four Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EZF, Fredricksburg, VA - Destination: W66, Warrenton, VA - Airport: W66, Warrenton-Fauquier Airport, runway 14, 4,106 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 392 total, 10 in this make and model, 327 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: HEF, 12 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 20040829035459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040829035459A), Aug 29, 2004: Cessna 177, Warrenton, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to land on runway 14 at W66. Landed long then attempted to execute a rejected landing. During the takeoff attempt the tail of aircraft… 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.