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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 3, 1993 · Cessna 177RG · N34205

Imperial, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Imperial, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 177RG
Tail Number
N34205
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA163

DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DUST DEVIL WHICH LIFTED AND TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER AND BEGAN A TAKEOFF. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT LANDING GEAR STRUCK THE LEADING EDGE OF A PARKED AIRPLANE. THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND INTENTIONALLY LANDED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY WITH ITS LANDING GEARS RETRACTED. A GROUND WITNESS CONFIRMED THE DUST DEVIL PHENOMENA.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FLIGHT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A DUST DEVIL.

Full Narrative

On April 3, 1993, at about 1500 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N34205, executed an emergency landing adjacent to Imperial County Airport, Imperial, California, after colliding with a parked airplane. The pilot was completing a local visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot told Mr. Nick Weber, Aviation Safety Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), San Diego [California] Flight Standards District Office, that prior to landing the surface winds were calm. The touch down was normal, but during the landing roll out the airplane made an abrupt swerve to the left and exited the 100 foot wide runway. After exiting the runway the airplane was heading toward a parked Cessna 175, N7378M. The pilot applied power and began a go-around. The airplane lifted off, but its left wheel struck the parked Cessna's leading edge wing and separated from the airplane. The pilot executed a fly by over the runway and elected to land, gear up, on the dirt area adjacent to the runway. A ground witness confirmed that the winds were calm as the airplane touched down. A "dust devil," however, developed as the airplane was rolling out. After encountering the dust devil, the airplane lifted off the runway and turned to the left.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PST
Nearest AirportImperial County Airport (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length5304 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177RG
Tail NumberN34205
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 4 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data