Casualties unknown

1989-07-14: Cessna 177 (N3146T) — James F. Maloney — Lockport, IL

Lockport, IL, US

On July 14, 1989, a Cessna 177 (registration N3146T) operated by James F. Maloney was involved in an aviation accident near Lockport, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL OR MUSH. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE AIRCRAFT'S EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft departed a 3,000-ft runway with a pilot and two passengers. After a long takeoff roll, it lifted off but failed to gain normal altitude, porpoised, and entered a left turn before descending into a plant. Gross weight was 86 lbs over the maximum certified limit.

Accident Overview

The accident involved an aircraft that departed from a 3,000-foot runway carrying a pilot and two passengers. The aircraft's gross weight was calculated to be 86 pounds above its maximum certified limit.

Flight History

After a prolonged takeoff roll, the airplane lifted off but did not achieve normal altitude. Witnesses reported that the stabilator exhibited upward and downward movement, and the aircraft began to porpoise during flight. The aircraft then entered a left turn beyond the end of the runway, descended, and collided with a manufacturing plant.

Witness Observations

One witness specifically noted observing the up-and-down movement of the stabilator and that the plane was starting to porpoise in flight. No other witness accounts are available in the source material.

Weight Information

Post-accident calculations determined that the aircraft's gross weight exceeded the maximum certified limit by 86 pounds. The source does not specify whether this overweight condition was known to the pilot or if it contributed to the accident sequence.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28757. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.