# NTSB WPR23FA289: Cessna 177, N3357T, Gillette, WY, July 29, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: July 29, 2023, 12:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Gillette, WY · 1 mile south of airport in open field - Coordinates: 44.329643, -105.53788 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3296&lon=-105.5379&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Textron - NTSB case key (mKey): 192741 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23FA289 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192741/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA289 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to depart the high-density-altitude airport with the airplane at the maximum gross weight limit. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 177, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2073704), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while taking off at maximum gross weight in high-density-altitude conditions, he believed he did not have the performance to clear the approaching rising terrain. Shortly after, about a mile from the end of the runway, the pilot initiated a 180° turn toward a field for a precautionary landing. During the landing flare, the airplane struck a hay bale and came to rest inverted. Subsequently, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies. An owner’s manual (OM) for a similar make and model of the airplane with an engine comparable to the accident engine reported that the maximum gross weight is 2,500. The OM allowed for the flap settings to be at 0° to 10°. The calculated takeoff distance from a hard surface with flaps 15° at a maximum weight of 2,500 pounds, and travelling at an indicated airspeed of 65 knots, was about 678 ft for the ground roll and about 1,524 ft total to clear a 50-ft obstacle (assuming 2,700 rpm, a 20-knot headwind, an altitude of 5,000 ft msl, and a temperature of 80°F). The calculated maximum rate of climb at a maximum gross weight of 2,500 pounds, and travelling at an indicated airspeed of 89 knots, was about 470 feet per minute at an altitude of 5,000 ft msl and temperature of 80°F. It is likely that the airplane did not have the performance to climb out of the airport environment due to the high-density altitude and being at maximum gross weight. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 2023, about 1205 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 177, N3357T, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Gillette, Wyoming. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he and a passenger were on a multi-leg cross-country flight from Whitman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Felts Airport, Spokane, Washington. Witnesses reported that the airplane had been fueled before takeoff from the Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport (GCC), Gillette, Wyoming. Witnesses observed the airplane depart from runway 16 and reported that the engine seemed to be at full power. The pilot reported that during takeoff at a gross weight of 2,500 lbs., the airplane did not climb as he expected. Shortly after the airplane crossed the departure end of the runway with rising terrain ahead, the pilot made a shallow 180° right turn and elected to land in an open field as a precaution. The airplane impacted a hay bale during the landing flare and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot stated that he had previously executed takeoffs with full fuel during the trip. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity from the cockpit to each control surface. Review of the airplane’s airworthiness revealed the engine was changed from a Lycoming O-320 to a Lycoming O-360. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 180° at 16 knots, gusting 21 knots and a temperature of 80.6°F. The airport elevation was about 4,365 ft, mean sea level (msl). Runway 16 was 7,501 ft by 150 ft. The calculated pressure and density altitude was 4,035 and 6,607 ft, respectively. An owner’s manual (OM) for a similar make and model of the airplane with an engine comparable to the accident engine reported that the maximum gross weight is 2,500. The OM allowed for the flap settings to be at 0° to 10°. The calculated takeoff distance from a hard surface with flaps 15° at a maximum weight of 2,500 pounds, and travelling at an indicated airspeed of 65 knots, was about 678 ft for the ground roll and about 1,524 ft total to clear a 50-ft obstacle (assuming 2,700 rpm, a 20-knot headwind, an altitude of 5,000 ft msl, and a temperature of 80°F). The calculated maximum rate of climb at a maximum gross weight of 2,500 pounds, and travelling at an indicated airspeed of 89 knots, was about 470 feet per minute at an altitude of 5,000 ft msl and temperature of 80°F. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3357T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3357T), registered now, S/N 17700657, 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: 17700657 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 2487.67 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: High West Aero LLC - Registered owner: High West Aero LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2022, 1 hours before - Destination: KLVM, Livingston, MT - Airport: GCC, Northeast Wyoming Rgnl, runway 16, 7,501 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review September 21, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 1,384 total, 537 in this make and model, 1,318.4 as pilot in command, 27.03 in the last 90 days, 21.53 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 16 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KGCC, 13 nm away - METAR: KGCC 291753Z AUTO 18016G21KT 10SM SCT033 27/15 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP192 T02670150 10267 20156 58002 ## 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 20230729022259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230729022259A), Jul 29, 2023: Cessna 177, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. A Cessna 177 crashed shortly after departure from runway 16 in gillett, WY. The pilot reported that during takeoff, the airplane did not ascend as he expected.… ## Other investigations on N3357T (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 DEN74DQA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DQA04), Jul 4, 1973: Cessna 177 (N3357T), Cimarron, NM, 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.