# NTSB SEA94LA006: Cessna 177A, N30365, La Sal, UT, October 4, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 1993, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: La Sal, UT - Coordinates: 38.229194, -109.170112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2292&lon=-109.1701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41832 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41832/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA006 ## Probable cause THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH (10,000 FOOT) DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE FENCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT INITIATED TAKEOFF FROM A 2600 FOOT LONG DIRT AIRSTRIP UNDER CALM WIND CONDITIONS AND WITH AN OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE OF 75-80 DEGREES F. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE ON THREE OCCASIONS ONLY TO SETTLE BACK TO THE RUNWAY. ULTIMATELY, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE BEYOND THE UPWIND END OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ESTIMATED AT 10,000 FEET. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 1993, at approximately 1100 hours mountain daylight time (MDT), a Cessna 177A, N30365, registered to and being flown by Robert F. Singler, a certificated private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft nosed over during an attempted takeoff at a private dirt strip near La Sal, Utah. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR91, and was destined for Bountiful, Utah. The pilot reported that he executed a brief familiarization overflight and stopover at the private, 2600 foot long dirt airstrip. He stated that upon departure the winds were calm and the temperature was 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon departure the pilot initiated a "short field" takeoff to the east. He stated that "as (the) plane gained speed it would come off and then settle back down. This occurred about three times and as it neared the end of the strip the left main hit a dirt mound and slowed the plane to where it went down an embankment and the nose gear caught a barb wire fence." The nose gear separated and the aircraft then nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no powerplant problems during the takeoff. The density altitude at the accident site was estimated to be 10,000 feet based upon the reported elevation of the airstrip and reported temperature at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30365](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30365-1993-11-30), registration cancelled 1993-11-30, S/N 17701212 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177A - Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701212 - Airframe hours: 2072 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Singler, Robert F. - Registered owner: Singler, Robert, F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1993, 50 hours before - Destination: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT - Airport: runway 9, 2,600 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19931004037549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931004037549A), Oct 4, 1993: Cessna 177A, La Sal, UT, Substantial damage. Tried depart short dirt strip. Lifted several times and settled. Hit fence off end runway. High density altitude. ## Other investigations on N30365 (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 ATL86LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA193), Jul 3, 1986: Cessna 177A (N30365), Huntsville, AL, substantial damage 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.