Cessna 177B accident near Norcross, Minnesota, September 20, 1992
On September 20, 1992 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 177B, registered N34893, was substantially damaged in an accident near Norcross, Minnesota (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFTOFF WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND, AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 1992 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Norcross, Minnesota · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177B · all 177Bs on the register
- Registration
- N34893 · no longer on the register · serial 17702069
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON HIS PRIVATE GRASS AIRSTRIP WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT OF THE AIRSTRIP TOWARD A CORN CROP AND A DITCH DURING THE TAKEOFF PHASE OF A TOUCH AND GO. THE PILOT ELECTED TO PULL BACK IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE CROP. SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO THE CROP.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 20 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 6, 1992; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1F6D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 3,500 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from AXN, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.