Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 177B near Reading, PA — 2011-02-18

Final reportERA11LA154
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Date
2011-02-18
Location
Reading, PA, USA
Airport
RDG
Aircraft
CESSNA 177B
Registration
N11625
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

Inadequate maintenance inspection of the airplane which resulted in a shift of the shock mounted portion of the pilot's instrument panel, causing an interference of the pitch control during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane accelerated and lifted off the runway normally; however, he subsequently noticed that the elevator control could not be moved. He reduced engine power and aborted the takeoff. The airplane struck the runway hard and bounced, before coming to rest. The airplane's nose gear collapsed and the firewall was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the nut that secured the shock mount to the pilot's instrument panel on the right side was missing. The left side shock mount was sheared. A portion of the instrument panel had shifted downward and the directional gyro housing was in contact with a portion of the yoke control column, restricting its movement. The airplane had been operated for about 60 hours, since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed about 5 months prior to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked controls more thoroughly before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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