Cessna 177 N30163

Summary

On 23 June 2012 at about 18:15 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N30163, operated by Rutherford Stephen, was involved in an accident near West Milford, New Jersey, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 June 2012 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

West Milford, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Greenwood Lake Airport (4N1)

Coordinates

41.1239, -74.3411

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N30163

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Rutherford Stephen

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ellenville → West Milford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12CA414

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper full flap retraction while performing a go-around maneuver, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane bounced during the landing. He added power in an attempt to recover, but then decided to perform a go-around maneuver. He performed the go-around checklist; however, he inadvertently retracted the flaps to the zero degree, or "UP" position, instead of the required 20 degree flap position. The airplane settled onto the grass to the left of the runway and struck bushes and cement blocks located about 150 feet off the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.