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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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July 2, 1990 · Cessna 177 · N2307Y

Lake Havasu, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Lake Havasu, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 177
Tail Number
N2307Y
Operator
Burreson Rex H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90FA235

AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND HEAD TOWARDS A PORTION OF THE LAKE WHERE THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS HAD VISITED FRIENDS EARLIER IN THE DAY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW AND SLOW WITH A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE WHEN THE WINGS BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN THE WATER AFTER ABOUT 180 DEG OF ROTATION. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS ON THE PILOT WERE POSITIVE FOR ALCOHOL AT A REPORTED LEVEL OF 0.08%. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT BY ABOUT 8 LBS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 4,234 FT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, OVERWEIGHT AIRPLANE, AND THE PILOT'S ALCOHOL LEVEL.

Full Narrative

AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN PRIOR TO THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND HEAD TOWARDS A PORTION OF THE LAKE WHERE THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS HAD VISITED FRIENDS EARLIER IN THE DAY. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW AND SLOW WITH A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE WHEN THE WINGS BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN THE WATER AFTER ABOUT 180 DEG OF ROTATION. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS ON THE PILOT WERE POSITIVE FOR ALCOHOL AT A REPORTED LEVEL OF 0.08%. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT BY ABOUT 8 LBS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 4,234 FT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 MST
Nearest AirportLake Havasu (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length6167 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177
Tail NumberN2307Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBurreson Rex H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:00
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data