# NTSB NYC93LA156: Cessna 177A, N30393, Lawrence, MA, August 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 1993, 14:28 local (18:28 UTC) - Place: Lawrence, MA - Location: 42.7170° N, 71.1235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAWRENCE MUNI (LWM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7170&lon=-71.1235&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38633 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38633/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA156 ## Probable cause THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE BATTERY BOX COVER BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - weather condition - turbulence - electrical system,battery - not secured - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - separation - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis AFTER PREFLIGHTING THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT AND PASSENGER DEPARTED FOR A CROSS COUNTRY. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT SMELLED SMOKE AND AFTERWARDS HE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF ELEVATOR CONTROL. THE PILOT USED TRIM AND THROTTLE CONTROL TO DESCEND THE AIRPLANE, BUT THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD DURING THE FLARE DUE TO REDUCED AIRCRAFT CONTROL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE BATTERY COVER HAD NOT BEEN SECURED PROPERLY. THE BATTERY WAS FOUND UPSIDE DOWN, LAYING ACROSS CONTROL CABLES. BOTH PRIMARY ELEVATOR CONTROL CABLES, AND THE RIGHT RUDDER CABLE, WERE SEPARATED DUE TO ELECTRICAL ARCING. ## Factual narrative On Sunday, August 15, 1993, at 1428 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177A, N30393, piloted by Richard O'Loughlin, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Lawrence Municipal Airport, Lawrence, Massachusetts. The pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: "I preflighted the plane...I placed the sun shields in the area behind the rear seat, and the battery box cover appeared to be in place. After...I flew...6-10 miles north...encountered turbulence...strong enough to hit my head on top of cabin...headed back to Lawrence. Shortly after, I could smell smoke...1-2 minutes later I lost complete elevator control...contacted the tower...declared an emergency. I then flew the plane using only the trim and the throttle. I...established a controlled descent, and when I reached the runway I was unable to raise the nose...for landing. Subsequently, damage was done to the nose area and front gear...." Post accident investigation by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that both elevator primary control cables and the right rudder cable were severed. The cable ends were burned. The supporting pulley assembly also sustained burns. The battery was found inverted in front of the battery box. The positive battery terminal showed signs of arcing. The battery box cover was found under the window sun shields, behind the rear seat. Both battery box cover hold down security pins were found in place and fastened. The security pins were intact and showed no signs of bending. The records of the last annual inspection, completed on June 18, 1993, revealed that the battery box cover was removed and reinstalled during the battery service. In the FAA Inspector's report he stated: "The battery was able to exit the box and come to rest with the positive post in contact with the control cables. This was because...the cover was not properly installed, secondly, the battery cables are to long." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30393](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30393), registered now, S/N 17701231, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A - Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (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: 17701231 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard O'Loughlin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1993, 17 hours before - Airport: LWM, Lawrence Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 420 total, 280 in this make and model, 329 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LWM ## 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 19930815029539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930815029539A), Aug 15, 1993: Cessna 177A, Lawrence, MA, Substantial damage. Smoke in cockpit. Lost elevator control. Returned. Unable to flare. Elevator cables burned through. By loose battery 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.