Cessna 177B accident near Branson, Missouri, September 20, 2012
On September 20, 2012 at about 1:35 am local time, a Cessna 177B, registered N34722, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Branson, Missouri (M. Graham Clark Downtown Arpt. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around in dark night conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 2012 · about 1:35 am local time
- Place
- Branson, Missouri · M. Graham Clark Downtown Arpt. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177B · all 177Bs on the register
- Registration
- N34722 · no longer on the register · serial 17701959
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred as the pilot attempted to make a night landing to a lighted runway. The pilot reported that he performed a go-around because the airplane was not properly aligned with the runway centerline; however, he was unable to maintain airplane control after losing external visual references in the dark night conditions. The airplane impacted the runway and a visual approach slope indicator before it descended into a steep wooded ravine. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 633 hours in all; 598 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 534 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 26, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,199 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 18, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1F6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MNF Mountain View MO
- Destination: PLK Branson MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 3,738 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:45 am from BBG, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.