Casualties unknown

2004-02-14: Cessna 177 (N3468T) — Sturgis, MI

Sturgis, MI, US

On February 14, 2004, a Cessna 177 (registration N3468T) was involved in an aviation accident near Sturgis, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent raising of flaps resulting in a loss of lift and his failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a dragging of the wing. 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

During a practice landing go-around, a pilot erroneously retracted all flaps, causing the airplane to settle and both wing tips to strike the runway before exiting into snow.

Accident Sequence

The airplane sustained substantial damage during an attempted go-around from a practice landing. According to the pilot, on the third landing attempt, while at an altitude of approximately 5 to 10 feet above ground level, the aircraft was aligned just left of the runway centerline with the right wing tip slightly low. The pilot reported experiencing a small, unexpected gust of wind at that moment.

In response, the pilot initiated a go-around by applying full power and retrimming the airplane. The aircraft began to gain altitude momentarily, but the pilot then mistakenly retracted all of the flaps. This caused the airplane to settle back toward the runway. The right wing tip impacted the runway surface.

The pilot stated that he subsequently overcorrected, which led to the left wing tip also striking the runway. The airplane then exited the runway, coming to a full stop in snow located on the east side of the runway.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage during the event. No further details about specific damage items were provided in the source.

Pilot Report

The pilot's account attributes the sequence to the unexpected wind gust, the erroneous full flap retraction, and the subsequent overcorrection. No other contributing factors or analysis were mentioned in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040225X00240. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.