# NTSB SEA92LA015: Cessna 177A, N30515, Trout Lake, WA, October 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1991, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Trout Lake, WA
- Coordinates: 45.969139, -121.530715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9691&lon=-121.5307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA015

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND, AND PROPER CLIMB RATE NOT BEING MAINTAINED.  FACTORS INCLUDE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, THE PILOT'S OVER-CONFIDENCE IN HIS OWN ABILITY AND THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT, LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION, AND A TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT OF THE CESSNA 177A ATTEMPTED A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF AT THE 1750 FOOT GRASS STRIP.  JUST AFTER TAKEOFF HE REALIZED THAT HE WAS NEAR A STALL, AND LOWERED THE NOSE TO PICK UP AIRSPEED.  WHEN THE NOSE WAS LOWERED, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SINK, AND ULTIMATELY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30515 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701298
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jack W. Gillespie
- Registered owner: Jack W. Gillespie
- Destination: PRO, PROSSER, WA
- Airport: 66WA, Trout Lake, runway 27, 1,750 × 40 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 86 total, 27 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19911008052629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911008052629A), Oct 8, 1991: Cessna 177A, Trout Lake, WA, Substantial damage. Took off downwind from short grass strip. Unable to climb. Mushed into ground striking 2 fences. Not endorsed by CFI

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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