No fatalities

23 Jun 2012: CESSNA 177 — RUTHERFORD STEPHEN — West Milford, NJ

West Milford, NJ, United States

On 23 Jun 2012, a CESSNA 177 operated by RUTHERFORD STEPHEN was involved in an aviation accident near West Milford, NJ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot inadvertently retracted the flaps to the zero-degree position instead of the required 20-degree flap position during the go-around maneuver. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During landing, the airplane bounced. The pilot initiated a go-around but inadvertently retracted flaps to zero degrees instead of 20. The airplane settled left of the runway, striking bushes and cement blocks, damaging the horizontal stabilizer.

Incident Overview

During the landing sequence, the airplane experienced a bounce. The pilot responded by adding power in an attempt to recover, but subsequently decided to perform a go-around maneuver. While executing the go-around checklist, the pilot inadvertently retracted the flaps to the zero-degree, or "UP" position, rather than the required 20-degree flap setting.

Sequence of Events

Following the flap retraction error, the airplane settled onto the grass to the left of the runway. It continued into an area approximately 150 feet off the runway, where it struck bushes and cement blocks. The impact caused substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable cause

The pilot inadvertently retracted the flaps to the zero-degree position instead of the required 20-degree flap position during the go-around maneuver.

Contributing factors

PilotIncorrect use/operation