# NTSB SEA96MA079: Cessna 177B, Cheyenne, WY, April 11, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Date: April 11, 1996, 14:24 UTC, 08:24 local
- Place: Cheyenne, WY
- Coordinates: 41.140727, -104.790596 (estimated)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting, June 30, 1997
- Investigation class: Class 1
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42472
- NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/SEA96MA079.aspx
- NTSB report (PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42472/pdf
- Board report (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR9702.pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=42472
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96MA079

## Probable cause

the pilot-in-command's improper decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions (including turbulence, gusty winds, and an advancing thunderstorm and associated precipitation) when the airplane was overweight and when the density altitude was higher than he was accustomed to, resulting in a stall caused by failure to maintain airspeed. Contributing to the pilot-in-command's decision to take off was a desire to adhere to an overly ambitious itinerary, in part, because of media commitments.

## Analysis

A 7 year old trainee (passenger), accompanied by her father (a passenger) and the pilot-in-command (PIC), were engaged in a trans-continental record attempt involving 6,660 miles of flying in 8 consecutive days. The 1st leg of the trip (about 8 hours of flying) had been accomplished the previous day and began/ended with considerable media attention. On the morning of the 2nd day, the PIC and the trainee participated in media interviews, pre-flighted, and then loaded the airplane. The PIC then received a weather briefing and was advised of moderate icing conditions, turbulence, IFR flight precautions, and a cold front in the area of the departure airport. The airplane was taxied in rain to takeoff on runway 30. While taxiing, the PIC acknowledged receiving information that the wind was from 280 degrees at 20 gusting 30 knots and that a departing Cessna 414 pilot reported moderate low-level windshear of +/- 15 knots. The airplane then departed on runway 30 towards a nearby thunderstorm and began a gradual turn to an easterly heading. Witnesses described the airplane's climb rate and speed as slow, and they observed the airplane enter a roll and descent that was consistent with a stall. Density altitude at the airport was 6,670 feet. The airplane's gross weight was calculated to be 84 pounds over the maximum limit at the time of the impact. (See: NTSB/AAR-97/02 for detailed info)

## Factual narrative

Refer to NTSB Report PB 97-910402.

## Sequence of events

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by conditions/events, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: N35207, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35207-1996-07-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177B
- Registry model: Cessna 177B (registry code 2073708, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702266
- Airframe hours: 3582
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: CYS
- Destination: LNK, LINCOLN
- Airport: CYS, CHEYENNE, runway 30
- FAA reports: 19960411006839A (https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960411006839A) (OpenAirDocs)

## Flight crew

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; medical class 2; hours: 8 24 hours, 8 24 hours in this make and model, 37 30 days, 13 30 days in this make and model, 55 90 days, 13 90 days in this make and model, 381 instructor, 1,362 pic, 1,484 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 20 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility (statute miles): 5
- Lowest ceiling (ft AGL): 2400
- Temperature (°F): 39.2

## Docket (36 files)

On NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=42472

- Supplement A (.PDF, 2 pages, 234 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20A-Master.PDF
- Supplement B (.PDF, 4 pages, 349 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20B-Master.PDF
- Supplement I (.PDF, 3 pages, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066427&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20I-Master.PDF
- Supplement S (.PDF, 1 pages, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF
- Human Performance 14 - Addendum 1 (.PDF, 3 pages, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Human%20Performance%2014%20-%20Addendum%201-Redacted.PDF
- Human Performance 14 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (.PDF, 45 pages, 9.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396797&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Human%20Performance%2014%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Redacted.PDF
- Meteorology 5 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (.PDF, 87 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396799&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Meteorology%205%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (.PDF, 44 pages, 16.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Transcript of Radio Communications (.PDF, 11 pages, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Radio%20Communications-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Personnel Statements (.PDF, 4 pages, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Personnel%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (.PDF, 3 pages, 337 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (.PDF, 3 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396811&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF
- Toxicological Reports (.PDF, 3 pages, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Reports-Redacted.PDF
- Documentation from Accident Site (.PDF, 5 pages, 397 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Documentation%20from%20Accident%20Site-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1. Cambered surface of propeller blade 'A' as found embedded in asphalt. (.PDF, 1 pages, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066439&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Cambered%20%20surface%20of%20propeller%20blade%20%27A%27%20as%20found%20embedded%20in%20asphalt.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2. Back side of propeller blade 'A'. (.PDF, 1 pages, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066440&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Back%20side%20of%20propeller%20blade%20%27A%27.-Master.PDF
- Photo 3. Cambered surface of propeller blade 'B' after being pulled out from beneath left wing. (.PDF, 1 pages, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Cambered%20surface%20of%20propeller%20blade%20%27B%27%20after%20being%20pulled%20out%20from%20beneath%20left%20wing.-Master.PDF
- Photo 4. Back side of propeller blade 'B'. (.PDF, 1 pages, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Back%20side%20of%20propeller%20blade%20%27B%27.-Master.PDF
- Photo 5. The engine. (.PDF, 1 pages, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20The%20engine.-Master.PDF
- Photo 6. The cockpit. (.PDF, 1 pages, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066444&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20The%20cockpit.-Master.PDF
- Photo 7. Front seats (Right Front is at left, Left Front is at right). (.PDF, 1 pages, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066445&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Front%20seats%20(Right%20Front%20is%20at%20left,%20Left%20Front%20is%20at%20right).-Master.PDF
- Photo 8. The backs of the front seats. (.PDF, 1 pages, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066446&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20%20The%20backs%20of%20the%20front%20seats.-Master.PDF
- Photo 9. The back of the rear seat. (.PDF, 1 pages, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066447&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20%20The%20back%20of%20the%20rear%20seat.-Master.PDF
- Photo 10. Inside of right door. (.PDF, 1 pages, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066448&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010.%20%20Inside%20of%20right%20door.-Master.PDF
- Photo 11. The wreckage (12 o'clock position). (.PDF, 1 pages, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066449&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011.%20%20The%20wreckage%20(12%20o%27clock%20position).-Master.PDF
- Photo 12. The wreckage (3 o'clock position). (.PDF, 1 pages, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066450&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2012.%20%20The%20wreckage%20(3%20o%27clock%20position).-Master.PDF
- Photo 13. The wreckage (4:30 o'clock position). (.PDF, 1 pages, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066451&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2013.%20%20The%20wreckage%20(4%3A30%20o%27clock%20position).-Master.PDF
- Photo 14. The wreckage (6 o'clock position). (.PDF, 1 pages, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066452&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2014.%20%20The%20wreckage%20(6%20o%27clock%20position).-Master.PDF
- Photo 15. The wreckage (7:30 o'clock position). (.PDF, 1 pages, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2015.%20%20The%20wreckage%20(7%3A30%20o%27clock%20position).-Master.PDF
- Photo 16. The wreckage (9 o'clock position). (.PDF, 1 pages, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2016.%20%20The%20wreckage%20(9%20o%27clock%20position).-Master.PDF
- Photo 17. Inverted left wing (as found). (.PDF, 1 pages, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2017.%20%20Inverted%20left%20wing%20(as%20found).-Master.PDF
- Photo 18. Inverted right wing (as found). (.PDF, 1 pages, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2018.%20%20Inverted%20right%20wing%20(as%20found).-Master.PDF
- Photo 19. Hoisting the wreckage for removal, showing bottom of empennage. (.PDF, 1 pages, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2019.%20%20Hoisting%20the%20wreckage%20for%20removal,%20showing%20bottom%20of%20empennage.-Master.PDF
- Photo 20. Hoisting the wreckage for removal, showing the bottom of the cabin area (less cockpit floor and engine - was sawed off). (.PDF, 1 pages, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2020.%20%20Hoisting%20the%20wreckage%20for%20removal,%20showing%20the%20bottom%20of%20the%20cabin%20area%20(less%20cockpit%20floor%20and%20engine%20-%20was%20sawed%20off).-Master.PDF
- Photo 21. Hoisting wings for removal, showing the top. (.PDF, 1 pages, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2021.%20%20Hoisting%20wings%20for%20removal,%20showing%20the%20top.-Master.PDF
- Photo 22. Measuring flap Jackscrew extension (2 1/16 Inches approximately 10 degrees). (.PDF, 1 pages, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40066460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2022.%20%20Measuring%20flap%20Jackscrew%20extension%20(2%201%2F16%20Inches%20approximately%2010%20degrees).-Master.PDF

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