# NTSB SEA03CA112: Cessna 177, N2279Y, Woodland, WA, June 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 19, 2003, 17:20 local (Jun 20, 2003, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Woodland, WA - Coordinates: 45.901668, -122.743057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9017&lon=-122.7431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03CA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57273/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03CA112 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature liftoff and his failure to maintain/obtain airspeed and directional control during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - soft - Gear collapsed, landing ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he was attempting a short field takeoff from runway 14. He reported that the airplane's acceleration for takeoff was normal, however, shortly after liftoff the airplane settled back on to the runway. The pilot continued the takeoff and the airplane became airborne a second time. The pilot estimated that the airplane's speed was approximately 50 mph when the airplane became airborne the second time. Shortly after becoming airborne, the airplane yawed to the left and began to settle back to the ground. The pilot reported that the airplane settled approximately 100 feet to the left of the runway. When the airplane contacted terrain a second time, the right main landing gear and nose gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 2003, about 1720 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2279Y, sustained substantial damage during takeoff and subsequent runway excursion at the Woodland State Airport, Woodland, Washington. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. In a written statement dated June 27, the pilot reported that he was attempting a short field takeoff from runway 14. He reported that the airplane's acceleration for takeoff was normal, however, shortly after liftoff the airplane settled back on to the runway. The pilot continued the takeoff and the airplane became airborne a second time. The pilot estimated that the airplane's speed was approximately 50 mph when the airplane became airborne the second time. Shortly after becoming airborne, the airplane yawed to the left and began to settle back to the ground. The pilot reported that the airplane "...settled (or stalled) 100 feet to the left of the runway facing 45 degrees to the direction of flight." When the airplane contacted terrain a second time, the right main landing gear and nose gear collapsed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2279Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2279Y-2004-12-06), registration cancelled 2004-12-06, S/N 17700079, 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: 17700079 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gunther Kern - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: WA71, WOODLAND, WA - Destination: WA71, Woodland, WA - Airport: WA71, Woodland State, runway 14 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,673 total, 834 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030619012559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030619012559A), Jun 19, 2003: Cessna 177, Woodland, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Medical certificate third class, 11/04/02. At 1720 Mr. Kern took off in N2279K from the Woodland, Washington airport. Mr. Kern reported that the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N2279Y (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX92LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA316), Jul 26, 1992: Cessna 177 (N2279Y), Turlock, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOTS POOR PLANNING IN NOT PROPERLY SECURING THE AIRCRAFT WITH TIEDOWNS, CHOCKS OR BRAKES PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE BY HAND PROPPING. 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.