On December 23, 2004, a Cessna 177RG (registration N1JM) was involved in an aviation accident near Phoenix, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft registered N1JM. Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
During a post-maintenance test flight, an airplane veered left off the runway while landing in a 40-degree, 12-knot crosswind. The right main landing gear strut collapsed. No mechanical anomalies were found.
Incident Description
The pilot was performing a post-maintenance test flight to check the landing gear warning system. After completing the test, the pilot initiated a landing. The aircraft touched down with a 40-degree, 12-knot crosswind. As soon as the nose wheel contacted the runway, the airplane veered to the left. Despite the pilot's corrective control inputs, the deviation continued. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway and entered midfield terrain.
Damage
The right main landing gear strut collapsed during the excursion.
Investigation Findings
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies.
