Cessna 177 N2320Y

Summary

On 6 October 2006 at about 13:45 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N2320Y, operated by Durwood C. Smith, was involved in an accident near Stockbridge, Georgia, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 October 2006 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Stockbridge, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Berry Hill (4A0)

Coordinates

32.5375, -84.1853

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N2320Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Durwood C. Smith

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stockbridge → Brunswick

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL07FA002

4 people died.

The pilot's attempted takeoff over the allowable takeoff gross weight of the airplane and his failure to maintain airspeed during climb after takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to a witness the airplane "struggle" to get airborne, and the engine was running at full power. The airplane barely cleared a tree at the departure end of the runway before "stalling" and impacting another tree. Other witnesses reported that the airplane clipped a tree then collided with power lines. Shortly thereafter, an explosion was heard. The airplane was unable to climb due to its over gross weight condition. Weight and balance calculation revealed that the airplane was 102 pounds over gross weight. Examination of the airframe and engine components revealed no mechanical or flight control problems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.