On January 20, 1990, a Cessna 177B (registration N34860) was involved in an aviation accident near Acme, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE STUDENT PILOT MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE TO THE RUNWAY, AND THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) FAILED TO ATTAIN REMEDIAL ACTION, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a no-flap approach practice, an airplane settled early, struck a snow bank, lost its right main landing gear wheel, and veered off the runway. The instructor had 41 total flight instructor hours.
Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a student pilot were practicing a no-flap approach when the airplane settled to the ground earlier than intended. The aircraft subsequently collided with a snow bank before reaching the runway. Contact with the snow bank caused the wheel from the right main landing gear to separate. The airplane then settled on its right side and veered off the runway.
Instructor Experience
The certified flight instructor (CFI) on board had accumulated 41 total hours of experience as a flight instructor at the time of the event.
Aircraft Condition
The right main landing gear wheel detached during the collision with the snow bank. No further damage details were provided in the report.