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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

July 6, 1990 · Cessna 177B · N30666

Iola, WI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 6, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Iola, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 177B
Tail Number
N30666
Operator
Bestul David D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90DEP06

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 4 AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 2000 FT AGL. AT ABOUT THE MID-FIELD POINT, THE POWER WAS REDUCED. A WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND & THE PLT INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO SPIRAL DOWN. DURING THE SPIRAL, POWER WAS INCREASED AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED ABOUT 150 YARDS SHORT OF THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 4.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH, AND HIS FAILURE TO GO AROUND.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 4 AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 2000 FT AGL. AT ABOUT THE MID-FIELD POINT, THE POWER WAS REDUCED. A WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND & THE PLT INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO SPIRAL DOWN. DURING THE SPIRAL, POWER WAS INCREASED AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED ABOUT 150 YARDS SHORT OF THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 4.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:53 CDT
Nearest AirportCentral County (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177B
Tail NumberN30666
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBestul David D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1F6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data