Cessna 177 accident near Clewiston, Florida, June 5, 2015
On June 5, 2015 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 177, registered N29415, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Clewiston, Florida (Airglades airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper level off and flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 2015 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Clewiston, Florida · Airglades · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177, built 1968 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N29415 · registry record · serial 17700873
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the landing flare he encountered "localized rough air" and crosswind conditions. On the first landing the airplane touched down hard and began to porpoise. Following the second bounce, the pilot initiated a go-around, and requested his pilot rated passenger, who had more experience in the airplane, to take the flight controls. The pilot rated passenger landed without further incident. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. He reported winds were from a variable direction at 10 knots.
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
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (aborted after touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,818 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,818 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 17, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,100 hours in all; 129 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 3,900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 22, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 26, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 152 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OBE Okeechobee FL at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 2IS Clewiston FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 5,901 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from KIMM, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.