Cessna 177RG accident near Sterling, MA
On March 11, 2020, a Cessna 177RG (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sterling, MA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 11, 2020
- Place
- Sterling, MA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177RG · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.430°N, 71.797°W
- NTSB ID
- 20200311X62702
Official records · ERA20FA124
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn March 11, 2020, about 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG airplane, N1572H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Sterling, Massachusetts. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Two witnesses observed the pilot as he approached the parked airplane before the flight; however, due to their view, they were unable to determine if he performed a preflight inspection. Several witnesses reported that the airplane taxied to the start of runway 34. The takeoff roll and initial climb appeared and sounded normal. One of the witnesses described that, as the airplane reached midfield it was, “really high” above the treetops and the engine “coughed.” The engine noise then decreased and sounded as if it was “running rough.” The airplane’s nose lowered slightly, and the engine noise briefly increased before decreasing and running rough again. The cycle of decreasing and increasing engine noise occurred two or three times, during which the landing gear retracted into the fuselage. Another witness, who was a pilot, stated that the airplane was too high to land on the remaining runway when the engine noise first decreased. As the airplane crossed over the departure end of the runway, it appeared to be in control, and the wings rocked back and forth slightly in a “very nose high” attitude. The left wing then “dipped,” and the airplane began a turn toward the left. One of the witnesses further described that it looked like the airplane “started a car
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
More accidents in MA
- Gulfstream Aerospace G IV, Jun 1, 2014
- Beechcraft B200, Apr 4, 2003
- Cessna 425, Oct 25, 2006
- Piper PA-32-300, Mar 3, 2003
- Cirrus SR-22, Apr 9, 2009
Browse: Massachusetts · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
