WPR18LA205

Factual narrative

On July 28, 2018, about 1023 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, N3477T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near San Diego/El Cajon, California. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the takeoff and initial climb were normal until about 100 ft above ground level, when the engine began to lose power. He lowered the airplane's nose to prevent a stall, which "resulted in a return to full power." As the airplane neared the end of the 2,738-ft-long runway, the pilot raised the nose again; the engine experienced a "severe" loss of power and the airplane impacted a dirt field at the departure end of the runway. The airplane continued to slide on the ground about 100 yards before coming to rest adjacent to a taxiway. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Review of data from the airplane's engine monitor revealed that engine power was increased to a takeoff setting of 2,550 rpm; the engine maintained that setting or higher for about 30 seconds. The final data points showed a fuel flow of zero, consistent with the engine being shut off. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector spoke to several witnesses who were at the scene of the accident and saw the pilot fill up a truck bed with belongings from the accident airplane. Most notable of the cargo were wooden crates full of avocados. The pilot confirmed that he had a "substantial amount" of cargo on board the airplane and stated that he did not calculate a weight and balance for the flight. The pilot reported that, while departing on a cross-country flight from the 2,738-ft-long runway, the engine lost partial power about 100 ft above ground level during the initial climb. He lowered the airplane's nose, which appeared to restore engine power, then raised the nose again as the airplane approached the end of the runway. The engine then experienced a "severe" loss of power and the airplane subsequently impacted a dirt field at the departure end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and review of data from the onboard engine monitor revealed that the engine was producing full power throughout the takeoff. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector spoke to several witnesses who saw the pilot fill a truck bed with belongings from the accident airplane, including wooden crates full of avocados. The pilot confirmed that he had a "substantial amount" of cargo on board, and that he did not calculate the airplane's weight and balance for the flight. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot's inadequate preflight planning resulted in his exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight, which lead to the the airplane's poor climb performance, the perceived loss of engine power, and the subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Maximum weight-Capability exceeded
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Weight/balance calculations-Pilot
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot