Cessna 177 N30550

Summary

On 31 July 2016 at about 13:45 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N30550 was involved in an accident near Kalispell, Montana, 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

31 July 2016 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Kalispell, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Schafer /Usfs/ (8U2)

Coordinates

48.0797, -113.2444

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N30550

Category

Airplane

Year built

1968

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kalispell → Kalispell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA406

Nobody was injured.

The airplane's hard landing during an aborted takeoff, following an encounter with a downdraft during takeoff initial climb from a remote mountain airstrip, resulting in an uncontrolled descent, attempt to land on the runway remaining, and subsequent nose over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a mountain airstrip, and climbing just above the trees lining the runway, the airplane encountered an "extreme wind shear and an enormous downdraft". The pilot further reported the airplane began to descend at 1500-2000 feet per minute and he decided to land on the remaining runway. Subsequently the airplane touched down hard, bounced, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.