Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's incorrect aborted landing procedure, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 29, 2004, about 1115 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177, N2975X, was substantially damaged while landing at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (W66), Warrenton, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated that he flew a traffic pattern approach for runway 14; a 4,103-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, asphalt runway. While on final approach, the airplane was too low, and the pilot increased engine power to correct. The pilot further stated that he overcorrected, crossed the threshold high, and landed long. The pilot then attempted to abort the landing by adding full power, and fully retracting the flaps. During the attempt, the airplane's empennage struck an embankment, separated, and the airplane came to rest upright at the departure end of the runway.
Review of a Cessna 177 Owner's Manual revealed:
"Balked Landing (Go-Around)...
Wing Flaps - Retract to 1/2."
The reported wind at an airport approximately 12 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1055, was from 210 degrees at 5 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC04CA200