On August 31, 1996, a Cessna 177 (registration N2992X) was involved in an aviation accident near Youngstown, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's delay in aborting the landing, and his failure to attain adequate airspeed to fly out of ground effect, which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing approach, the aircraft bounced multiple times, then the pilot aborted the landing. After becoming airborne, it overran the runway and settled into lower terrain obstructed by concrete blocks and boulders.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during an approach to land on runway 20, the aircraft was fast and bounced multiple times after touchdown. As the aircraft neared the departure end of the runway, the pilot added power to abort the landing. After becoming airborne, the pilot lowered the nose to increase airspeed. The aircraft continued past the departure end of the runway and settled as it crossed over a cliff. It subsequently settled into an area of lower terrain strewn with concrete blocks and boulders.
Pilot Statement
When asked if there had been a power loss, the pilot replied, 'no.' No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction of the airplane was found.
Runway Information
The runway was 3075 feet long. According to the airplane's owner's manual, at gross weight, the airplane would have required about 1200 feet to touchdown and stop after clearing a 50-foot obstacle.