Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
The pilot and two passengers were about 2 hours into a cross-country flight when they decided to land for a rest stop. The pilot reported that he saw some breaks in the clouds below him, so he descended to land at a nearby airport. When the pilot saw the runway, he realized that he was too close to land, so he circled for a better approach. The pilot stated that while turning onto the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he failed to maintain airspeed and stalled the airplane. The airplane impacted a muddy wheat field with the landing gear retracted and came to rest in an upright position. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA153 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 8, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Herington, Kansas
- Nearest airport
- Herington Reginal Airport (KHRU)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 177RG
- N-number
- N88NG
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.