Cessna 177 N88BM

Summary

On 3 April 2004 at about 01:25 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N88BM, operated by Edwards AFB Aero Club, was involved in an accident near California City, California, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 April 2004 at 01:25

Classification

Accident

Location

California City, California, United States

Nearest airport

California City Municipal Airp (L71)

Coordinates

35.1522, -118.0167

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N88BM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Edwards AFB Aero Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

California City → Rosamond

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04CA175

4 people had minor injuries.

the certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush condition and a collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were strong tailwind conditions and a sudden wind shift.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with terrain during the takeoff initial climb. Prior to departure, the certified flight instructor (CFI) noted calm wind conditions. During the initial climb, about 50 to 75 feet above ground level, the airplane began to descend, while rolling and yawing to the right. The CFI could not maintain control of the airplane, and it continued in a 300-foot-per-minute descent. The airplane impacted the ground and a fire erupted. After egressing the airplane, the CFI noticed a strong shift in winds into tailwind conditions. A few minutes later, he noted that the winds became light again, followed by periodic gusts and wind shifts. The CFI reported that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The CFI reported that the airplane's gross weight was about 2,341 pounds, and the published maximum gross weight is 2,350 pounds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.