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CESSNA 177 B accident at Franklin, VA, 26 Dec 2022

Franklin, VA, United States

On December 26, 2022, a CESSNA 177 B operated by BARGER, RANDALL G was involved in an aviation accident near Franklin, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the initial climb following an aborted precautionary landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the initial climb following an aborted precautionary landing. Contributing to the outcome were the inoperative runway lights, which reduced the likelihood that the pilot could successfully land the airplane on the runway at night.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotAwareness of conditionContributed to outcome

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Dec 2022 CESSNA 177 B accident near Franklin, VA?

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the initial climb following an aborted precautionary landing. Contributing to the outcome were the inoperative runway lights, which reduced the likelihood that the pilot could successfully land the airplane on the runway at night.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Dec 2022 CESSNA 177 B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Dec 2022 involved a CESSNA 177 B, operated by BARGER, RANDALL G, at Franklin, VA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the initial climb following an aborted precautionary landing. Contributing to the outcome were the inoperative runway lights, which reduced the likelihood that the pilot could successfully land the airplane on the runway at night.

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