Cessna 177 accident near Davidsville, Pennsylvania, August 21, 2001
On August 21, 2001 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Cessna 177, registered N30247, was substantially damaged in an accident near Davidsville, Pennsylvania. It was a ferry 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 abort the takeoff attempt. Factors included the pilot's failure to use both magnetos, and his failure to utilize soft field takeoff procedures.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 21, 2001 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Davidsville, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N30247 · no longer on the register · serial 177-01147
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot attempted a takeoff from a field. After a takeoff roll of about 900 feet on cut grass, the pilot turned the airplane to the right to avoid having the left wing pass over corn. The airplane entered an area of patchy clover and higher grass, and would not accelerate. As the airplane approached power lines ahead, the pilot turned it another 30 degrees to the right, and continued with the takeoff roll. The airplane went through a the fence, dragging a part of it on the landing gear, then went through trees where the wings were sheared off. The airplane came to rest inverted. The takeoff attempt was made with the wing flaps retracted. However, the manufacturer recommended the use of 1/4 flaps for soft field or maximum performance takeoffs. In addition, the magneto switch was found in the left magneto position, and the condition of the spark plugs was consistent with engine operation in that position.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,570 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model; 2,440 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 7, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,800 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 3, 2000; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Davidsville PA at 7:45 pm
- Destination: JST Johnstown PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,500 ft; a few clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from JST, 7 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.