Cessna 177 N3357T

Summary

On 29 July 2023 at about 18:05 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N3357T, operated by High West Aero LLC, was involved in an accident near Gillette, Wyoming, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 July 2023 at 18:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Gillette, Wyoming, United States

Nearest airport

Northeast Wyoming Rgnl (GCC)

Coordinates

44.3296, -105.5379

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N3357T

Category

Airplane

Year built

1967

Engines

1

Operator

High West Aero LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Livingston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23FA289

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's decision to depart the high-density-altitude airport with the airplane at the maximum gross weight limit.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while taking off at maximum gross weight in high-density-altitude conditions, he believed he did not have the performance to clear the approaching rising terrain. Shortly after, about a mile from the end of the runway, the pilot initiated a 180° turn toward a field for a precautionary landing. During the landing flare, the airplane struck a hay bale and came to rest inverted. Subsequently, the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies. An owner’s manual (OM) for a similar make and model of the airplane with an engine comparable to the accident engine reported that the maximum gross weight is 2,500. The OM allowed for the flap settings to be at 0° to 10°. The calculated takeoff distance from a hard surface with flaps 15° at a maximum weight of 2,500 pounds, and travelling at an indicated airspeed of 65 knots, was about 678 ft for the ground roll and about 1,524 ft total to clear a 50-ft obstacle (assuming 2,700 rpm, a 20-knot headwind, an altitude of 5,000 ft msl, and a temperature of 80°F). The calculated maximum rate of climb at a maximum gross weight of 2,500 pounds, and travelling at an indicated airspeed of 89 knots, was about 470 feet per minute at an altitude of 5,000 ft msl and temperature of 80°F. It is likely that the airplane did not have the performance to climb out of the airport environment due to the high-density altitude and being at maximum gross weight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.