# NTSB WPR24LA310: Cessna 177B, N177SX, Redlands, CA, September 22, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 21, 2024, 19:11 local (Sep 22, 2024, 02:11 UTC) - Place: Redlands, CA - Coordinates: 34, -117 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0000&lon=-117.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195187 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA310 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195187/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195187 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA310 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach, which resulted in a collision with rocky terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on final approach he noticed that his instrument panel lights were low, and it was difficult to read their indications. He further stated that he was low and slow and had power applied throughout his descent. The airplane impacted rocky terrain short of the runway and was subsequently destroyed by postcrash fire. The pilot reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177SX-2025-04-28), registration cancelled 2025-04-28, S/N 17702532, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B - Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (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: 17702532 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 2289 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William Lindsey - Registered owner: Lil Cardinal LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2024, 8 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: REI, Redlands Muni, runway 08/26, 4,504 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review October 26, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 350 total, 5 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KRIV, 14 nm away - METAR: KRIV 220155Z AUTO 29007KT 10SM CLR 22/14 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP116 T02230141 PWINO $ ## 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 20240921017689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240921017689A), Sep 21, 2024: Cessna 177B, Redlands, CA, Destroyed. The pilot stated that they were attempting to land at night and that the airspeed indicator was dim and hard to read. So the pilot was fixated on the airspeed… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195187. 2.4 MB in all. - Record of memorandum-pilot (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18117589&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum-Pilot-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18118109&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array-courtesy of the redlands police department (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 735 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18118083&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Accident%20Site%20Redlands%20PD-Rel.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.