# NTSB SEA98LA049: Cessna 177A, N177MT, Laurel, MT, March 23, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1998, 17:00 local (Mar 23, 1998, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Laurel, MT
- Coordinates: 45.599826, -108.680999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5998&lon=-108.6810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA049

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive descent rate on final, and improper recovery from a bounced landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings in a crosswind. On the second landing, the airplane developed an excessive sink rate on final, hit hard and bounced into the air.  The pilot added full power to go around but did not reach flying speed.  The airplane drifted off to the left side of the runway and impacted the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On March 22, 1998, approximately 1700 mountain standard time, a Cessna 177A, N177MT, owned and flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during collision with terrain following a loss of control during a touch and go landing.  The pilot, who was the sole occupant on board, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight, which was a proficiency flight operated under 14CFR91, had originated from the Billings, MT airport about 1640.

During a telephone interview and later written statement, the pilot said that the purpose of the flight was to practice touch and go landings in a crosswind.  The first landing was made to runway 04 and the winds were determined to be pretty much down the runway, so the second landing was made to runway 32.  On this landing, the airplane hit hard and bounced into the air.  The pilot added full power to go around but did not reach flying speed.  The airplane drifted off to the left side of the runway and impacted the terrain.  The pilot stated that he believed he allowed an excess sink rate to develop as he crossed the threshold.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N177MT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177MT-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 17701298, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177A
- Registry model: [Cessna 177A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177a) (registry code 2073706) (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: 17701298
- Airframe hours: 1336
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott J. Newpower
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1997, 35 hours before
- Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Airport: 6S8, Laurel Muni, runway 32, 2,695 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 33 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 11 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 19980323004049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980323004049A), Mar 23, 1998: Cessna 177A, Laurel, MT, Substantial damage. Bounced landing. Began go around to slow. Lost control. Indicates a wing stalled on premature lift off. (.4)the pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings in a…

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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