# NTSB SEA07LA187: Cessna 177RG, N47RH, Fresno, CA, June 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 2007, 07:10 local (14:10 UTC) - Place: Fresno, CA - Coordinates: 36.732223, -119.819725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7322&lon=-119.8197&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 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66258 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66258/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA187 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,main gear - collapsed - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - sign - object - taxiway light ## Analysis The pilot lost directional control of the airplane during a soft-field takeoff and the airplane collided with obstacles, prior to coming to rest off of the runway surface. The pilot was undergoing a flight review. Both he and the certified flight instructor reported an undetermined problem with the right main landing gear. The airplane then veered to the left and the right main landing gear collapsed after impacting a sign. The right main landing gear was pulled into the down-and-locked position following the accident by a local aviation maintenance technician, and then the airplane was towed to the ramp area. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 2007, at 0710 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N47RH, veered off of the runway at Fresno Chandler Airport, Fresno, California, and collided with obstacles. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area instructional flight. The flight departed Sierra Sky Park Airport, Fresno, California, at 0630. According to the CFI, the purpose of the flight was for a flight review. They landed at Fresno Chandler Airport and taxied back for departure uneventfully. The CFI requested that the pilot perform a soft-field takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the CFI felt "something happen on the right, like a flat tire." The airplane began veering to the left. The CFI allowed the pilot to fly the airplane and the airplane then impacted lights and a sign on the runway's left side. The airplane then went to the right, where it came to a stop off of the runway. During the accident sequence, the right main landing gear collapsed after impacting a sign. The pilot was interviewed via telephone following the accident. He and the CFI landed at the airport about 0655 and taxied for departure. During the soft-field takeoff, he heard something unusual and the CFI indicated that he might have a flat tire on the right side. The airplane veered to the left and the right main gear contacted a sign which resulted in it retracting. After hitting the sign, the airplane turned to the right and went off the runway. Following the accident, the airplane was put on jacks and the right landing gear was pulled down and locked into position. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site. Looking at the runway surface, he noted no nosewheel track on the runway and skid marks to the right side. The airplane collided with one taxiway light and one sign. During the collision with these obstacles, the right main collapsed. The right main landing gear tire was found intact and in an inflated condition. Following the accident, a local aviation maintenance technician (AMT) positioned the right main landing gear to the down-and-locked position. The airplane was towed to the ramp area. The pilot would not allow further access to the airplane following the accident so no further examinations took place. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47RH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47RH), registered now, S/N 177RG0185 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0185 - Airframe hours: 1640 - Engines: Textron Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F. Hendricks - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: E79, Fresno, CA - Destination: FCH, Fresno, CA - Airport: FCH, Fresno Chandler Airport, runway 30, 3,630 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 390 total, 280 in this make and model, 293 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 59; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 2,982 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,944 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: FAT ## 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 20070626012929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070626012929A), Jun 26, 2007: Cessna 177RG, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC in the left seat was conducting a soft field takeoff under the direction of the CFI in the right seat while accomplishing a flight review. Early in… 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.