Cessna 177 accident near Langley, WA
On November 11, 2020, a Cessna 177 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Langley, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 11, 2020
- Place
- Langley, WA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.017°N, 122.438°W
- NTSB ID
- 20201111102268
Official records · WPR21FA045
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Air Traffic Control Recording: Recording (MP4), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 11, 2020, at 1144 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177B airplane, N34633, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Whidbey Air Park (W10), Langley, Washington. The private pilot and flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Radar and air traffic control data indicated that, earlier in the day, the airplane flew from Boeing field (BFI), Seattle, Washington, to Bellingham International Airport (BLI) Bellingham, Washington. About 1110, the airplane departed BLI and flew south over Whidbey Island toward BFI. The airplane climbed to about 6,500 ft mean sea level (msl) for about 16 minutes when the airplane’s groundspeed decreased, and the airplane started to descend. Shortly thereafter the flight instructor reported to air traffic control that they were declaring an emergency, and the airplane’s transponder code changed to 7700. He further reported that they had “full power and RPM setting, and about to lose the engine.” Air traffic control told the flight instructor to maintain current heading, but he informed them the airplane was “unable to maintain altitude.” The flight instructor reported they were at “1100 rpm unable to hold altitude with max power, about 75.” The controller directed the pilot toward W10 and the radar track showed a left turn toward the east then southeast. Shortly thereafter, the flight instructor reported they “had a little bit of power but are still descending at 5,000 [ft].” The controller provided the locatio
Probable cause
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control while attempting to conduct an emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power as a result of carburetor icing.
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
- Cessna 208B, Oct 8, 2007
- Cessna 172P, Dec 7, 1991
- Piper PA-32-260, Jul 29, 2001
- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
Browse: Washington · 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.
