Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path, which resulted in the left wing impacting a street sign.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during final, "all seemed normal until [he] felt the plane drop." He added that he heard the stall warning horn chirp and added full power "[too] late." The left wing sheared off after impacting a street sign, and the airplane came to rest on the left side of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 12 miles north of the accident airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 9 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 17.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA317 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 3, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Guttenberg, Iowa
- Nearest airport
- Gaa Private (IA23)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 177
- N-number
- N34462
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1972
- 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.