# NTSB SEA90LA112: Cessna 177, N13227, Hitchcock, WA, June 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1990, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Hitchcock, WA
- Coordinates: 46.450485, -120.509048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4505&lon=-120.5090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA112

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. SUNGLARE WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 177, N13227, STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT 'TWISTED' TO THE RIGHT AND NOSED DOWN WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH AS HE MADE AN ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENT. IT COLLIDED WITH THE SURFACE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THEN BOUNCED BEFORE STRIKING AN IRRIGATION DITCH AT ONE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13227](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13227-1991-08-26), registration cancelled 1991-08-26, S/N 17702404 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702404
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael O Brien
- Departed: 0S6, VANCOUVER, WA
- Destination: NONE, ST HILAIRE, WA
- Airport: St Hilaire, runway 27, 1,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 506 total, 90 in this make and model, 457 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: YKM, 26 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 19900624022239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900624022239A), Jun 24, 1990: Cessna 177B, Hitchcock, WA, Substantial damage. Blinded by sun,maneuvered on short final to line up with runway, stalled and hit end of runway.

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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