Cessna 177 accident near Gooding, Idaho, July 10, 2012
On July 10, 2012 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Cessna 177, registered N30753, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Gooding, Idaho (Gooding Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after encountering an unexpected wind gust during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 10, 2012 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Gooding, Idaho · Gooding Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 B · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N30753 · registry record · serial 17701443
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported during the approach to the runway, there were no encounters with turbulence. After crossing over the approach end of the runway and retarding the throttle to idle in preparation for the landing flare, the airplane’s left wing was “abruptly” pushed upward. The pilot was unable to maintain control as the right main landing gear and the nose wheel hit the runway, followed by the left main landing gear hitting the runway hard. The airplane then exited the right side of the runway into a stand of weeds before proceeding into a small ditch. The pilot added power to get the airplane back on the runway and subsequently taxied to the ramp. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 252 hours in all; 252 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 60 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 6, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,694 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 8, 2011; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: YKM Yakima WA at 12:30 pm
- Destination: GNG Gooding ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 07, 4,745 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from JER, 18 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.