What happened
On June 22, 2009, a Cessna 177 RG, registration N1876Q, was entering the traffic pattern at Albuquerque, NM, when the pilot could not locate the runway and required assistance from tower personnel. During the final approach, the pilot was flying at an altitude higher than appropriate and at an airspeed 10 mph slower than the standard 80 mph approach speed.
As the aircraft attempted to land, it entered a stall, struck the nosewheel, and bounced twice into the air. The pilot applied power in an attempt to execute a go-around, but the aircraft impacted the runway, causing the left main landing gear to collapse. The aircraft exited the left side of the runway and stopped approximately 100 yards to the east. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wingtip, both main landing gears, and the tail section. At the time of the accident, the pilot had been flying for approximately ten hours.