N2827X

On August 12, 1997, at 0950 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2827X, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tree during landing at the Bowman Field Airport, Louisville, Kentucky. The certificated commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was practicing touch and go landings on runway 6. He had successfully completed one touch and go landing, when the tower switched to runway 14. He said he completed two landings on runway 14, and on the third landing the airplane touched down hard. It then bounced about 100 feet into the air, veered off the left side of the runway onto the grass, then struck a tree and a fence.

The pilot said he attempted to make a go-around, but a crosswind caught the airplane and pushed him to the left side of the runway. He reported over 1,150 hours of total flight experience including 25 hours in make and model. He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine.

A witness, at the end of runway 14 said that the tower cleared him into position and hold. He taxied out onto the runway, and lined up with the centerline after the accident airplane had passed by. He noticed that the accident airplane touched down on runway 14 off to the left edge of the runway then veered off across runway 24.

The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 200 degrees at 9 knots.