# NTSB SEA08CA199: Cessna 177B, N30692, Truckee, CA, September 14, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 14, 2008, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Coordinates: 39.316387, -120.130554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3164&lon=-120.1306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA199

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to take off in a heavily loaded airplane under the ambient conditions that existed at the time. Contributing to the accident was the mountainous/hilly terrain, a high density altitude, gusty winds and downdrafts.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot took off from the mountain airport with a density altitude of about 8,000 feet and winds gusting to 14 knots. According to calculations by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane was loaded to within about 50 pounds of its maximum gross weight. After lifting off, the airplane climbed to about 200 feet above ground level, and then started to sink as it encountered downdrafts over the mountainous terrain. The pilot turned back toward the airport, and he elected to maintain an airspeed above stall speed. During the turn the airplane continued to descend. Prior to reaching the airport, the airplane's wheels momentarily touched the terrain, but the airplane became airborne again. Almost immediately thereafter, the airplane's left wing contacted the ground. The airplane then cartwheeled into the terrain. There was no evidence of any engine or flight control anomaly. According to the pilot, the way to prevent such an accident from reoccurring is, "To not fly in the mountains when the gross weight is close to the maximum."

## Factual narrative

The pilot took off from the mountain airport with a density altitude of about 8,000 feet and winds gusting to 14 knots. According to Federal Aviation Administration calculations, the airplane was loaded to within about 50 pounds of its maximum gross weight. After lifting off, the airplane climbed to about 200 feet above ground level, and then started to sink as it encountered downdrafts over the mountainous terrain. The pilot turned back toward the airport, and during the turn the airplane continued to descend. Prior to reaching the airport, the airplane's wheels momentarily touched the terrain, but the airplane became airborne again. Almost immediately thereafter, the airplane's left wing contacted the ground. The airplane then cartwheeled into the terrain. There was no evidence of any engine or flight control anomaly. According to the pilot, the way to prevent such an accident from reoccurring is, "To not fly in the mountains when the gross weight is close to the maximum."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30692](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30692-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 17701408, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- 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: 17701408
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F-6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2007
- Departed: KTRK, Truckee, CA
- Destination: KRBG, Roseburg, OR
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: KTRK, Truckee-TAhoe

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 15, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 276 total, 133 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: KTRK, 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 20080914845509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080914845509A), Sep 14, 2008: Cessna 177B, Truckee, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft N30692, piloted by [privacy data omitted] certificate no. [privacy data omitted], Departed runway 10 at approximately 1400 on September 14,…

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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