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ERA12CA025

2011-10-06 · Westerly, Rhode Island, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport WST

Current FAA registration · N177MW

Make / Model
CESSNA 177RG
Year of manufacture
1977 · 34 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D (200 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19770209
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A13456

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while starting the engine.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he and his passenger entered the airplane and completed the preflight checklist before starting the engine. He turned the ignition, the airplane started, and began to move forward. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane but it continued forward and initiated a turn to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted another airplane parked nearby which resulted in substantial damage to the accident airplane's left wing. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who completed a post accident examination, the brakes were inspected with no leaks or other anomalies noted and the airplane had no preexisting mechanical malfunctions. According to the pilot, he completed the preflight checklist before starting the engine. When he turned the ignition, the airplane started and began to move forward. The pilot attempted to stop the airplane, but it continued forward and initiated a turn to the left. The airplane subsequently impacted another airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the accident airplane's left wing. A postaccident examination revealed no leaks or other anomalies with the brakes or any other preexisting mechanical malfunctions of the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_ERA12CA025.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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