Cessna 177 accident near Jenison, Michigan, July 8, 2025
On July 8, 2025 at about 3:36 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 177, registered N29342, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Jenison, Michigan (Riverview airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people 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 and clearance from trees during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2025 · about 3:36 pm local time
- Place
- Jenison, Michigan · Riverview · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177, built 1968 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N29342 · no longer on the register · serial 17700825
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The left-seat pilot reported that during the takeoff rotation, the right-seat pilot unexpectedly manipulated the flight controls and placed the airplane into a “maximum performance climb attitude.” The left-seat pilot immediately released the control yoke and relinquished control of the airplane to the other pilot. The right-seat pilot leveled the airplane and began a shallow left turn before striking trees. The airplane subsequently pitched down and impacted a lake which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The left-seat pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 670 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 300 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 10, 2023
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,087 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 2, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 4,087 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 3,920 ft by 49 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KGRR, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGRR 081753Z 26006KT 10SM FEW065 SCT100 27/16 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP179 T02670156 10283 20172 58009=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 4, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.