# NTSB WPR14CA344: Cessna 177, N2830X, Pine Bluffs, WY, August 13, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2014, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Pine Bluffs, WY - Coordinates: 41.152221, -104.134719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1522&lon=-104.1347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 89871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89871/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89871 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA344 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing flare he experienced what he believed to be wind shear or a dust devil. Just before the airplane touched down it lifted about 20 to 40 feet when the wind suddenly shifted to a tailwind and the airplane stalled. The pilot stated that the right wing dropped and the airplane entered an approximate 45 to 60 degree angle of bank. The pilot corrected the bank angle and leveled the wings but failed to apply full power to completely recover from the stall. The airplane subsequently impacted the runway nose down, bounced, then settled to the runway. The firewall and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failures with the airplane that would precluded normal operation. . ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing flare he experienced what he believed to be wind shear or a dust devil. Just before the airplane touched down it lifted about 20 to 40 feet when the wind suddenly shifted to a tailwind and the airplane stalled. The pilot stated that the right wing dropped and the airplane entered an approximate 45 to 60 degree angle of bank. The pilot corrected the bank angle and leveled the wings but failed to apply full power to completely recover from the stall. The airplane subsequently impacted the runway nose down, bounced, then settled to the runway. The firewall and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failures with the airplane that would precluded normal operation. . ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2830X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2830X), registered now, S/N 17700230, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700230 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 2757.7 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2014 - Departed: GCC, GILLETTE, WY - Destination: 82V, PINE BLUFFS, WY - Airport: 82V, Pine Bluffs Muni, runway 26, 5,331 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 4, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 109 total, 9 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate ## Other investigations on N2830X (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 MIA69D0345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0345), Feb 9, 1969: Cessna 177 (N2830X), Clarksville, TN, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89871. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416207&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Fuselage Damage (Photo Courtesy of Owner) (item 2, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416208&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Fuselage%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Owner)-Master.PDF 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.