On September 16, 2007, a Cessna 177RG (registration N1844Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Compton, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare due to a gust of wind, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent cartwheeling of the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A light aircraft experienced a hard landing followed by a gust of wind during flare, causing it to balloon and cartwheel 180 degrees upon touchdown without mechanical failure.
What happened
The aircraft touched down with significant force, resulting in a hard landing. Immediately after contact with the runway surface, the airplane ballooned back into the air due to a gust of wind encountered during the landing flare. As the aircraft descended again, the propeller blades struck the pavement, causing the airplane to rotate violently around its vertical axis. The plane cartwheeled approximately 180 degrees from its original direction of travel before finally coming to rest in an inverted orientation relative to its initial heading.
The investigation
Post-acc examination revealed no evidence of pre-existing mechanical issues with the aircraft systems. The pilot stated that the airplane was functioning normally prior to the landing attempt. A witness corroborated the pilot's account regarding the severity of the initial touchdown, confirming that the hard landing was the primary trigger for the subsequent loss of directional control and structural interaction with the runway surface.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare due to a gust of wind, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent cartwheeling of the airplane.
What happened in the 16 Sept 2007 Cessna 177RG accident near Compton, CA?
A light aircraft experienced a hard landing followed by a gust of wind during flare, causing it to balloon and cartwheel 180 degrees upon touchdown without mechanical failure.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 Sept 2007 involved a Cessna 177RG, registration N1844Q, at Compton, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare due to a gust of wind, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent cartwheeling of the airplane.
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