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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

May 26, 1990 · Cessna 177 · N2979X

Canton, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Canton, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 177
Tail Number
N2979X
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL90FA119

THE PRIVATE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN IFR FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THERE WAS A CLOUD LAYER IN THE AREA WHICH BEGAN AT ABOUT 5000 FEET MSL, AND THE VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED DUE TO HAZE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING A LEVEL ATTITUDE. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE AIRPLANE MADE SEVERAL ERRATIC CLIMBS AND DESCENTS WHICH BEGAN AT ABOUT 6200 FEET AND CONTINUED DOWN UNTIL RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE MADE SEVERAL ERRATIC CLIMBS AND DESCENTS AFTER BREAKING OUT OF THE CLOUD LAYER. THE STABILATOR TRIM WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE FULL NOSE UP POSITION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN IFR FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THERE WAS A CLOUD LAYER IN THE AREA WHICH BEGAN AT ABOUT 5000 FEET MSL, AND THE VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED DUE TO HAZE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING A LEVEL ATTITUDE. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE AIRPLANE MADE SEVERAL ERRATIC CLIMBS AND DESCENTS WHICH BEGAN AT ABOUT 6200 FEET AND CONTINUED DOWN UNTIL RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE MADE SEVERAL ERRATIC CLIMBS AND DESCENTS AFTER BREAKING OUT OF THE CLOUD LAYER. THE STABILATOR TRIM WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE FULL NOSE UP POSITION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177
Tail NumberN2979X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 63 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data