Cessna 177RG accident near Bristol, New Hampshire, August 27, 2008
On August 27, 2008 at about 7:21 pm local time, a Cessna 177RG, registered N2088Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Bristol, New Hampshire (Newfound Valley Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to clear the trees during takeoff due to a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 2008 · about 7:21 pm local time
- Place
- Bristol, New Hampshire · Newfound Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177RG · all 177RGs on the register
- Registration
- N2088Q · no longer on the register · serial 177RG0488
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot computed that 1,500 feet of takeoff distance was required to clear a 50-foot obstacle, prior to beginning the departure from the 1,900-foot-long by 40-foot-wide runway. After performing a run-up check of the engine, the pilot taxied the airplane onto the runway and increased the engine power to full. The pilot released the brakes and the airplane began to accelerate. The airplane’s speed decreased slightly during the takeoff roll, but since the airplane was 2/3 down the runway, the pilot elected to continue the takeoff. As the airplane approached the 95-foot-tall trees located about 400 feet beyond the departure end of the end of the runway, the pilot decided to increase the flap setting to 20 degrees to help the airplane “balloon” over them, though this procedure is not listed in any takeoff or climb checklists for the airplane. After clearing the trees, the pilot decreased the flaps back to 10 degrees, and raised the landing gear, while aiming the airplane toward the lowest of the trees in front of him. The pilot attempted to maintain altitude as the stall warning horn sounded intermittently, but the airplane eventually struck the tops of the trees, before impacting the ground. Post-accident examination of the engine revealed “low” compression on the number one cylinder, with no other discrepancies noted.
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 engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,814 hours in all; 1,323 in this make and model; 210 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 11,650 as pilot in command; 8,500 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 3, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,466 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 5, 2008; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2N2 Bristol NH at 7:21 pm
- Destination: 1B1 Hudson NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 1,900 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 7:20 pm from P1P, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.