Accident Overview
On August 23, 2014, at approximately 1015 central daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, registration N3202T, struck trees during the landing rollout at Cedar Mills Airport (3T0) in Gordonville, Texas. The accident resulted in serious injuries to the pilot and front seat passenger, while the two rear seat passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane experienced substantial damage. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, originating from Lakeview Airport (30F) in Lake Dallas, Texas, around 0945.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that during a visual approach to Runway 25, he applied left aileron and right rudder to compensate for a crosswind from the south. As the airplane descended below a tree line, the wind diminished, causing the airplane to drift left. During touchdown and rollout on the turf runway, the leftward drift continued. The pilot attempted to apply right rudder but felt his input was ineffective. Subsequently, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted multiple trees.
Weather Conditions
At 1015, the automated weather observation station at North Texas Regional Airport (GYI), about 10 miles southeast, reported wind from 200 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 31°C, dew point 17°C, and altimeter 30.02 inHg. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident inspection of the airplane revealed normal flight control continuity. The pilot's seat was fully engaged and locked. No secondary seat stop was present. The front passenger seat was displaced left and separated from its rails, while the rear bench seat remained secured. All seat belts were attached with no torn stitches. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. Examination of the airframe and engine found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures precluding normal operation.
Possible Contributing Factor
After the accident, the pilot suggested that the lack of rudder effect might have been due to the front seat passenger's foot obstructing a rudder pedal. However, the investigation did not assign this as a determined cause.